Oldest Woman In the U.S. Was Born in Lousiana

Elizabeth Francis has received the title of the "Oldest Person in the U.S." as she is now 115 years old according to KALB. Francis celebrated her latest birthday on Thursday, July 25.

Francis lives with her 94-year-old daughter in Houston, Texas, but she is a Louisiana native.

Francis was born in St. Mary Parish in 1909. This woman has lived a fascinating life. While she was born in Louisiana, when her mother died she and her five siblings all went to different places to live. That's how Francis ended up in Houston, Texas being raised by an aunt according to USA Today.

As her life progressed, she gave birth in 1928 to her daughter Dorothy Williams. She still lives with her daughter. She moved in with Williams after working 20 years running the coffee shop at ABC13 News.

So, what is the secret to living a long life? Francis was asked this by the people who run the group LongeviQuest,  Francis says,

If the Good Lord gave it to you, use it! Speak your mind, don't hold your tongue!

She says she believes her longevity is due to her faith in God, and eating whatever she wants to eat. She says she did refrain from smoking, and she only had the occasional glass of wine.

She adds that she was used to walking most places that she went or grabbing a ride with a family member. If someone wasn't available, she would ride the bus. She says the walking likely helped her longevity.

Francis is taken care of by her 69-year-old granddaughter Ethel Harrison.