Elizabeth Francis

Supercentenarian data for the USA
- Full name: Elizabeth Francis
- Lifespan: (25.07.1909 – 22.10.2024)
- Age: 115 years, 89 days
- Birthplace: St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, USA
- Last residence: Houston, Harris County, Texas, USA
- Application date: 28.07.2019
- Validation date: 16.01.2023
- Validation source: Robert Young/Waclaw Jan Kroczek
Biography
Elizabeth Francis was born in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, USA on 25 July 1909 to John and Virginia Francis. She later moved to Houston, Texas. In the 1970s, she ran the coffee shop at Houston TV station KTRK-TV. In February 2021, she reconnected with her old friend, news anchor Dave Ward, via Facetime.
Her sister, Bertha Johnson (1904–2011), lived to the age of 106, making them one of the oldest sibling pairs. As of February 2021, Francis had three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
Since the death of 111-year-old Maria De La Talamantes on 21 June 2020, Francis has been the oldest known living person in the state of Texas.
Since the death of 114-year-old Pearl Berg on 1 February 2024, Francis has been the last validated living person in the United States born in 1909.
Since the death of 116-year-old Edie Ceccarelli on 22 February 2024, Francis has been the oldest validated living person in the United States, as well as the last known surviving person in the USA born in the 1900s decade.
Since the death of 117-year-old Maria Branyas Morera on 19 August 2024, Francis has been the oldest living American-born person, and the third-oldest validated living person in the world, after Tomiko Itooka and Inah Canabarro Lucas.
Elizabeth Francis died in Houston, Texas, USA on 22 October 2024 at the age of 115 years, 89 days. Her daughter Dorothy Williams was 96 years old when Elizabeth Francis died, making her the oldest living person in the world with a living mother.

Longevity recognition
- Oldest living person in Texas (21.06.2020 – 22.10.2024)
- Oldest living African-American person (17.05.2023 – 22.10.2024)
- Oldest living person in the United States (22.02.2024 – 22.10.2024)
Validation
Her age was verified by Robert Young and Waclaw Jan Kroczek, and validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) on 16 January 2023.



Elizabeth Francis as a young woman.

Elizabeth Francis aged 26 (1935). (Courtesy of Ethel Harrison) Washington Post.

Elizabeth Francis on her 110th birthday (2019).

Elizabeth Francis on her 111th birthday.

Elizabeth Francis on her 112th birthday.

Elizabeth Francis on her 113th birthday.

Elizabeth Francis at age 114 in Aug. 2023.
Photo courtesy of abc13 News, and Gerontology Wiki.