Elizabeth Francis, the oldest person in the United States, died peacefully on Tuesday at the age of 115.
Francisco was the third-oldest person in the world at the time of his death, according to LongeviQuest, a database of the world’s oldest people.
“Elizabeth was a Houston icon and a valued member of the community,” the database said in a news release.
Francis was born on July 25, 1909 and served as 20 U.S. presidents, including former President William Howard Taft.
Texas woman turns 115, becoming America’s oldest living person
Francisco was the third-oldest person in the world at the time of his death. She spent most of her life in Houston. (Ethel Harrison)
Francis was born in Louisiana but lived in Houston, Texas for many years. She lived with her 95-year-old daughter Dorothy Williams and granddaughter Ethel Harrison.
Texas woman celebrates 114th birthday, credits God for her longevity: ‘He just kept me here’
Frances first moved to Houston after her mother died when she was 11 years old, and she and her five siblings were sent to separate homes. She was raised by her aunt and has lived there ever since.
Although she never drove a car, she worked outside the home, including running a coffee shop for a Houston television station in the 1970s and ’80s.
Ben Myers (pictured far right) of Longeviquest, a global research organization that tracks human longevity, gathers with Elizabeth Francis’ family to present her with the award for being the oldest living American. Ethel Harrison)
Longeviquest CEO Ben Myers previously told Fox News Digital that Francis was supported by his family and community.
“The thing that she exemplifies more than anyone else I’ve ever met is just family and community,” he said.
For more lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.
Francis has previously said he owes his longevity to his faith. (Ethel Harrison)
Francisco attended the same church for many years and was an active member.
“She lives in her home, and she’s the oldest person in the world to live in her own home, which is really unusual. There’s also the community that she has through her church, so she has a really active family and community. “It’s very difficult for her to have people reach that age in isolation,” Myers added.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Francis has three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.
Fox News Digital’s Gretchen Aichenberg contributed to this report.
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.
Story tips and ideas can be sent to sarah.rumpf@fox.com and X. @s_rumpfwhitten.
