Elizabeth Francis, oldest living American, dies at 115

HOUSTON — Elizabeth Francis, the oldest living person in the United States, died on Tuesday at age 115, according to LongeviQuest, a database that tracks the world's oldest individuals. 

Her granddaughter and caregiver, Ethel Harrison, told ABC News that Francis died peacefully on Tuesday night while surrounded by family.

Francis was born in Louisiana in 1909. After her mother passed away, she and her five siblings were sent to different homes. Elizabeth was sent to Houston where she was raised by her aunt. She stayed in Houston until her death. 

By the age of 20, she'd already witnessed World War I,  the Great Depression and the adoption of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.

"She has seen an African-American president and she also has witnessed an African-American female vice president. Those are great milestones for her," granddaughter Ethel Harrison said in 2022.

She became the oldest living person in the U.S. earlier this year when she was 114. 

Francis has a daughter in her 90s, and at the time of her 114th birthday, three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. 

KHOU's Michelle Homer contributed to this report.