16 August 2023 , 10:09
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One of the world's oldest people has recently celebrated her 114th birthday - and her family are pretty sure a lot of her longevity came from her diet.
Elizabeth Francis celebrated her 114th birthday last week, becoming the oldest living person in Texas, the second oldest in the US and seventh in the world. When asked how it felt to turn 114, Elizabeth said: "I don't know, I just thank the good Lord for keeping me."
Her longevity seems to be genetic as well, with her sister living to be 106 - making them some of the oldest siblings on record for a time. Her daughter, 94, and granddaughter, 68, were by her side to celebrate the occasion.
Elizabeth's granddaughter, Ethel Harrison, believes much of her grandma's success to a long life is in her diet and "lifestyle". The 114-year-old says she's "never" smoked, doesn't drink, and eats "everything".
She celebrated her 114th birthday with five generations of her family (ABC 13)"She always grew her vegetables in the backyard. I never saw her go to a fast food restaurant much as like Chick-fil-A and all the places I liked to go. She never did that," said Ethel.
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"Whenever you went to her house, I don't care what day of the week, she was cooking. So, I just think that had a lot to do with it too. Just how she took care of her body and things like that."
Geriatric doctor Dr Holly Holmes said Elizabeth has done everything right when it comes to leading a long life. She said: "Things that we know we need to do like moving more, eating better, having a more plant-based diet, having social connections, avoiding loneliness and isolation."
Elizabeth became the oldest person in Texas when she turned 114 (ABC 13)Elizabeth was born in 1909 - a time when William Taft was president of the US, 90 per cent of babies were born at home, and women and Black people could not vote. She has lived with World Wars, segregation and two pandemics.
She has three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Her daughter, Dorothy Williams, says it's not fame, but family that's most important to her.
"It's hard to believe, but it's a blessing," she said. "Because she has been a wonderful mother and grandmother to all of us. She has been our backbone."
Her sister lived to 106, making them among the oldest living siblings for a time (ABC 13)And when she tells people her mother's age, Dorothy says they have an immediate reaction. She said: "They don't say you're crazy, they just say you're lying."
Elizabeth's gift to others is apparently the wisdom and advice she shares thanks to her incredible life, according to her granddaughter Ethel. She explained: I think generosity, being generous.
"Treating people like you want to be treated, even though sometimes it might not be reciprocated, but that's not the way God wants you to do. He wants you to be generous and kind."