Francis, who lives in Houston, was the second-oldest person in the U.S. until Feb. 22, when the previous longevity record holder, Edie Ceccarelli, died a few weeks after her 116th birthday in California.
By Cathy Free, Special to The Washington PostElizabeth Francis at home in Houston in April. Francis's 115th birthday is July 25.
Francis, who lives in Houston, was the second-oldest person in the U.S. until Feb. 22, when the previous longevity record holder, Edie Ceccarelli, died a few weeks after her 116th birthday in Mendocino County, Calif. In April, Ben Meyers, right, presented Elizabeth Francis with a plaque to celebrate her status as the oldest person in the U.S. Francis is shown with her daughter, Dorothy Williams, left, and granddaughter Ethel Harrison.
“Elizabeth Francis is America’s grandmother, beloved by her family and community and admired worldwide,” he said. “Her story is about faith, fortitude and family more than it is about longevity.” Francis never learned to drive, so she took the bus or walked, which might be one reason she is now deep into her supercentenarian years, she said.
“They enjoy sitting next to each other to laugh and watch old episodes of ‘Good Times’ and ‘The Jeffersons’ on television,” Harrison said. “They also love watching ‘The Price is Right.’ They both feel lucky and blessed to be together so late in life.”
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