A Texas woman who just celebrated her 110th birthday has shared the secret to her longevity, and it all has to do with faith.
"Blessing of the Lord. He's the one keeping me. That's why I'm living," Elizabeth Francis told ABC affiliate KTRK.
Born in Louisiana in 1909, Francis celebrated the milestone with her friends, family and even the town's mayor, Sylvester Turner, on Saturday.
Seeing six generations of change is rare, and for Francis' family it is a blessing. At 110, she is in good health and her mind is still sharp.
"It's really special because she's been able to watch and see all of her grandchildren grow up and be a part of their lives," said Ethel Harrison, Francis' granddaughter.
A three-hour drive from Houston, in Temple, lives Hattie Mae Allen. The 105-year-old recently celebrated her birthday and also attributes her longevity to God.
"We put Jesus first," she said, according to Fox News.
The average life expectancy for women in the U.S. is 81.2 years, USA Today noted. Which is why living past 100 is remarkable. And while crediting such achievements to God may sound ideological, research has found a link between faith and longevity.
One study noted that women were 33% less likely to die in the 16-year follow-up period if they attended a religious service more than once a week, Time noted. Meanwhile, another study noted that people who regularly attended religious services were not only less stressed out, but 55% less likely to die in the study’s 18-year follow up period.
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