Obituary for Mary B. Francis
Obituary of Mary B. Francis
Sister Mary B. Francis, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, was peacefully called home to be with our Heavenly Father on April 26, 2022 at the age of 93. She was born on March 18, 1929 in Jennings, Louisiana to the late James Barb and Eva (Gloston) Carter. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her former husband Cleveland Francis, Sr.; one sister, Lola Barb; one son-in-law, Edward Broussard; and one daughter, Nancy Carol Francis Wells.
Sister Francis accepted Christ at an early age and attended St. Paul Baptist Church and Union Baptist Church in Jennings, Louisiana. She married Cleveland Francis, Sr. of Jennings in 1945 and they later served as Deacons at Union Baptist Church. After moving to Williamsburg, Virginia in 1969, Sister Francis joined First Baptist Church of Williamsburg and sang in the Church Choir. In 2016, she joined Second Calvary Baptist Church and remained a dedicated member until her death.
As the daughter of sharecroppers, Sister Francis completed her elementary education and began working to help to support the family. These early life experiences caused her to take great pride in the power of education to improve the lives of herself and her children. Her lifelong dream was to earn her high school diploma and become a nurse. She worked as a domestic worker in Louisiana and advanced to a 25-year career as a waitress in Colonial Williamsburg where she was known for her strong work ethic, immaculate attire, poise, and hospitality to every person with whom she interacted. Sister Francis used these strengths to inspire and support each of her children through college and advanced degrees. At the age of 53, she attended GED classes at Lafayette High School in Williamsburg but had to stop due to a serious health condition.
After her retirement from Colonial Williamsburg in 1994, Sister Francis had the opportunity to pursue another dream: working in a hospital to serve those in need. For several years, she served as an auxiliary volunteer at Williamsburg Community Hospital (now Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center Williamsburg) where she gathered daily inpatient meal requests. Sister Francis had a passion for singing, gardening, running, and cooking. She loved sports and was the Number 1 fan of the Seattle Seahawks. She was an encourager and will be remembered for her wise counsel, kind smile, helpful nature, and sense of humor.
Sister Francis leaves to cherish her memory her 5 living children Dr. Cleveland Francis, Jr. (Hardeep) of Alexandria, VA;, Fayester Foulcard of Houston, TX; Barbara Gilmore of Burbank, CA;, Lois Broussard of Hawker Heights, TX, and Dr. Elizabeth Francis Locke (J.R.) of Newport News, VA; grandchildren David Francis, Shira Foulcard, Terence Gilmore, Randall Martin, Jr., Shaena Brown, Lesley Wells, Brian Wells, Dr. Kiah Butler, and Brittany Giles-Cantrell; three special sons, Mr. Norman Van Gilmore, Mr. Clifford Wells and Mr. John Graham; a special daughter, Mrs. Rosa Owens, and special grand-children, Richard Locke, Raydel Locke, Brian Locke; and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, cousins and caring friends.
Sister Mary B. Francis, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, was peacefully called home to be with our Heavenly Father on April 26, 2022 at the age of 93. She was born on March 18, 1929 in Jennings, Louisiana to the late James Barb and Eva (Gloston) Carter. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her former husband Cleveland Francis, Sr.; one sister, Lola Barb; one son-in-law, Edward Broussard; and one daughter, Nancy Carol Francis Wells.
Sister Francis accepted Christ at an early age and attended St. Paul Baptist Church and Union Baptist Church in Jennings, Louisiana. She married Cleveland Francis, Sr. of Jennings in 1945 and they later served as Deacons at Union Baptist Church. After moving to Williamsburg, Virginia in 1969, Sister Francis joined First Baptist Church of Williamsburg and sang in the Church Choir. In 2016, she joined Second Calvary Baptist Church and remained a dedicated member until her death.
As the daughter of sharecroppers, Sister Francis completed her elementary education and began working to help to support the family. These early life experiences caused her to take great pride in the power of education to improve the lives of herself and her children. Her lifelong dream was to earn her high school diploma and become a nurse. She worked as a domestic worker in Louisiana and advanced to a 25-year career as a waitress in Colonial Williamsburg where she was known for her strong work ethic, immaculate attire, poise, and hospitality to every person with whom she interacted. Sister Francis used these strengths to inspire and support each of her children through college and advanced degrees. At the age of 53, she attended GED classes at Lafayette High School in Williamsburg but had to stop due to a serious health condition.
After her retirement from Colonial Williamsburg in 1994, Sister Francis had the opportunity to pursue another dream: working in a hospital to serve those in need. For several years, she served as an auxiliary volunteer at Williamsburg Community Hospital (now Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center Williamsburg) where she gathered daily inpatient meal requests. Sister Francis had a passion for singing, gardening, running, and cooking. She loved sports and was the Number 1 fan of the Seattle Seahawks. She was an encourager and will be remembered for her wise counsel, kind smile, helpful nature, and sense of humor.
Sister Francis leaves to cherish her memory her 5 living children Dr. Cleveland Francis, Jr. (Hardeep) of Alexandria, VA;, Fayester Foulcard of Houston, TX; Barbara Gilmore of Burbank, CA;, Lois Broussard of Hawker Heights, TX, and Dr. Elizabeth Francis Locke (J.R.) of Newport News, VA; grandchildren David Francis, Shira Foulcard, Terence Gilmore, Randall Martin, Jr., Shaena Brown, Lesley Wells, Brian Wells, Dr. Kiah Butler, and Brittany Giles-Cantrell; three special sons, Mr. Norman Van Gilmore, Mr. Clifford Wells and Mr. John Graham; a special daughter, Mrs. Rosa Owens, and special grand-children, Richard Locke, Raydel Locke, Brian Locke; and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, cousins and caring friends.