114-year-old woman attributes her longevity to the Lord on her birthday

Last month, Elizabeth Francis turned 114 and credits her long life to “the Lord.”

Texas woman Elizabeth Francis celebrates her 114th birthday, attributing her long life to God: 'Just the Lord keeping me here'. She is the seventh-oldest person in the world. pic.twitter.com/gXyZMhy312

— Isaac Waihenya (@IsaacWaihenya) August 22, 2023

“Just the Lord working with me and keeping me here,” she told Fox News about her longevity.

Born on July 25, 1909, Francis managed her own coffee shop in Houston, Texas, during the 70s and 80s. Interestingly, she never operated a car.

She emphasized her avoidance of vices such as drinking and smoking. Maintaining her health involves regular walks and a diet rich in fresh vegetables and chicken.

Ethyl Harrison, Francis’s granddaughter, lauded her by saying, “She’s just always enjoyed giving.” Harrison continued, “I remember whenever we had a ceremony, or if we had an event, she was our biggest cheerleader.” 

“Her main objective is to treat people the way you would want to be treated. I think that’s something that kind of stuck with me all my life,” Harrison added. 

Harrison mentioned that her grandmother maintained her own garden and consumed the vegetables she cultivated. She also highlighted how her grandmother consistently shared the harvested food with others.

Food has served as a connecting thread for Francis in her interactions with others over the years.

Harrison emphasized, “She was always cooking and someone was always at the house eating. There was always food on the table. The gentleman that she actually rented her home from would come and eat breakfast over there in the mornings. She also shared whatever she grew in the garden with her neighbors.”

This inclination to share food is a trait that has been handed down through multiple generations.

“I learned from her that it’s better to give than to receive. It’s just the best [thing] to do. That’s one of the qualities that I picked up as a young girl watching her,” she concluded. 

At present, Francis resides alongside her 94-year-old daughter. Her family includes three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren, all of whom were present at her 114th birthday celebration.

She holds the distinction of being the oldest living person in Texas and the second oldest individual in the United States. On a global scale, she ranks as the seventh oldest living person.