Elizabeth Francis, the oldest recognized person in the United States, has sadly passed away.

This remarkable woman died on Tuesday at the age of 115.

“We are deeply saddened to inform you of Ms. Elizabeth Francis’s passing,” stated LongeviQuest, an organization dedicated to tracking the world’s oldest individuals. “She was a beloved icon of Houston and an important figure in the community.”

At her time of passing, Francis ranked as the third-oldest living person globally and was among the 21 longest-lived individuals in U.S. history, according to LongeviQuest.

Her granddaughter and primary caregiver, Ethel Harrison, shared with the Washington Post that Francis celebrated her 115th birthday in July with a beautiful vanilla cream cake adorned with flowers.

Francis was born in Louisiana in 1909 and lived in Houston with her daughter, Dorothy Williams, until her death.

After her mother’s passing, Francis and her five siblings were placed in different homes. Eventually, she was raised by her aunt in Houston.

In 1928, Francis became a single mother when she had Dorothy and ran a coffee shop in Houston for nearly 20 years before retiring in 1975.

Francis’s formula for a lengthy life

Francis often attributed her incredible longevity to her faith in God, her straightforward nature, and enjoying whatever food she fancied. She only required a wheelchair for mobility when she was nearly 108 years old.

“If God gives you something, use it. Speak up and don’t hold back,” she shared as her best advice last year.

She noted that she did not smoke or drink excessively, treating herself to an occasional glass of wine.

Elizabeth Francis’s sister reached 106

Francis wasn’t the only family member to have an impressive lifespan; her sister Bertha Johnson lived to 106 before her death in 2011, as reported by LongeviQuest, making them “one of the oldest sibling pairs.”

In February, following the death of Edie Ceccarelli from California, who passed away on February 22 at 116, Francis became the oldest living person in the U.S.

Who currently holds the title of America’s oldest living person?

As of now, the title of oldest living person in the United States goes to Naomi Whitehead, born on September 26, 1910. She is currently 114.

Who is the oldest living person in the world?

As of Thursday, the world’s oldest known living person is 116-year-old Tomiko Itooka from Japan, born on May 23, 1908.