Elizabeth Francis very literally saw it all. The nation’s oldest person died last Tuesday at the age of 115, with friends and loved ones issuing praise and adoration after her incredible life.
According to CNN, Francis was known as “Queen Elizabeth of Houston,” and media headlines often surrounded her longevity and her amazing life. She was born in 1909 and lived through both World Wars, America’s civil rights battle — and even saw 20 presidents come to power, the outlet noted.
Francis, who lived in Houston, Texas, most of her life, worked at her church and ran a coffee shop at a local TV station.
Some might wonder her secret to a long life, and if you asked Francis — and many did — she’d tell you it was all the Lord. In fact, she said as much in a past interview with Longeviquest.com.
“I just thank the good Lord for keeping me here,” she said. “He’s had no reason to take me.”
During that same interview, she revealed 1 John 4:8 is her favorite Bible verse. It reads, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
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In a more recent exchange with Longeviquest.com, she also offered some life advice to others.
“If the good Lord gave it to you, use it!” Francis added. “Speak your mind; don’t bite your tongue!”
Francis has long praised God for her longevity. In 2019, when she turned 110, she told local media the same thing about her long life.
“Blessing of the Lord,” she said of her milestone birthday at the time. “He’s the one keeping me. That’s why I’m living.”
Francis’ granddaughter, Ethel Harrison, said Francis’ faith was essential to her life and helped her navigate not only tough times, but also how she honored and cared for others.
“She had a Bible with her at all times,” Harrison told CNN. “She’ll tell you that that’s what … [helped] her to live as long as she lived.”
She continued, “She was a person who loved people. She cared about people. But most of all, she loved the Lord. I think that would sum it up for her.”
Francis’ own daughter, Dorothy Williams, was born in 1928 and is currently 96 years old. Read more about Francis’ incredible life here.
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