Elizabeth Francis, Second-Oldest Living American, Turns 114, Celebrates With Five Generations Of Her Family

A Houston woman celebrated her 114th birthday last month. This makes her the oldest living person in Texas and the second-oldest person in the United States.

When asked by KTRK-TV about her feelings toward her age, Elizabeth Francis replied, “I just thank the good Lord for keeping me.”

Five generations of her family visited her at her bedside, including her 94-year-old daughter, Dorothy Williams. Francis’ birthday party included a vanilla and chocolate sheet cake, her favorite flowers and a plaque verifying her as the oldest Texan.

Francis’ granddaughter, Ethel Harrison, said Francis is the second-oldest living person in the country and seventh-oldest in the world.

Francis told a reporter that she doesn’t smoke or drink but eats “everything.” Harrison recalled that Francis was always cooking at home.

“She always grew her vegetables in the backyard,” she said. “I never saw her go to a fast food restaurant… like Chick-fil-A and all the places I liked to go.”

She continued, saying, “Her life was always pretty simple: early to bed, early to rise, work hard, then come home and make a nutritious meal and be with family.”

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Francis was born on July 25, 1909 in Louisiana. She moved to Houston as a child when her mother died. As a single mother, she supported herself and Williams by running the coffee shop at KTRK-TV for about 20 years.

Williams cited Francis’ faith and family as key contributors. “It’s hard to believe, but it’s a blessing. Because she has been a wonderful mother and grandmother to all of us. She has been our backbone.”