Floyd Wilson Francis

Funeral services for Floyd Wilson Francis, 97, of Henderson, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 14, 2010 at Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Glen Ketchum, Rev. Gene Kimbrell, & Rev. Bruce Bailey officiating. Interment will be in Lakewood Memorial Park under the direction of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home in Henderson.The family visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, August 13, 2010 at the funeral home.Mr. Francis passed away Tuesday, August 10, 2010 peacefully at ETMC in Henderson, talking of seeing his Savior soon.He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Mable Francis, in 2005; his parents, Alexander (Alec) and Sally Francis, 1959 and 1938 respectively; nine brothers, one sister, and several nieces and nephews.Survivors include: one son, Hardy Lynn Francis and wife Alice of Coldspring; daughter, Darleen Francis Davis of Henderson; sister-in-law, Helen Kimbrell of Mesquite; grandchildren, Stephen Anthony Francis and wife Dana of Madisonville, Randall Wayne Francis and wife Mariana of Henderson, Joseph Eric Francis and wife Grissell of Austin, Brian Kelly Davis and wife Ashley of Vincenza, Italy, and Michael Craig Davis and wife Anna of Denver, CO.; great-grandchildren, Chelsea, Lindsey, Daniel, Joshua, Sophia, Isabella, and Guilianna Francis, Poli Davis of Moscow Russia, Alexandria Davis of Henderson, and Sienna Davis of Vincenza, Italy.Mr. Francis was born September 23, 1912 in LeFleur County, Oklahoma, moving to Tigertown, TX in 1918, thereby taking his first train ride at age six with his mother, one sister, and two brothers, and separately his father and two brothers driving a covered wagon with stock, cows, mules, and horses, where the family continued as farmers of cotton and corn. Some of his memories in Tigertown were the year of the "world flu" and everyone in his family had the flu except his sister, Mable, and he stated that it was "awful".Mr. Francis recently talked often to a great-granddaughter of his school days in Tigertown remembering starting in the "primer", which he told her that primer meant "the start". He happily told her of the seats in the school accommodating three people in one seat, and sharing a pencil- meaning the family could only afford one, breaking it in half in order to share with his youngest brother, Otis. Other memories were about the taste of his first Coca Cola in Tigertown when he was about seven, telling us that it "tasted good", but it "threw him" when taking his "first swig", because it was so strong. He also talked about his first hamburger (noting the prices in current times), saying it was "so good", with the emphasis being that it was about the best thing he had ever tasted (his exact wording) and cost ten cents. The family moved to Colorado City, TX in 1925 traveling in a Model T Ford, where they continued to farm cotton and maize. He attended school in Payne, TX.The Francis family then moved to East Texas in 1936 and Floyd worked for Beacon Oil Company for one year, plus helping with the care of his mother, who was very ill dying one week after the New London School explosion and never being told about the death of two grandchildren in the horrible accident. Mr. Francis was instrumental in participating in the clean up after the explosion, and "oh what a sad event" were his words.Floyd was driving a 1934 Plymouth when he went to Selman City Church of God Church one night and met Mable Higginbotham, and they were united in marriage on July 23, 1938. They moved to Denver City, TX, where he worked for Gibbins and Heasley and Continental Oil Company for two years each. From there they moved to Kilgore in 1944 where he worked for Tidewater Oil Company/Getty Oil Company retiring in 1974 after thirty years of employment. They moved to Henderson in 1954 with Mr. Francis traveling to work in between Kilgore and Laird Hill daily until his retirement.Floyd Francis and his wife Mable were devout Christians and devoted their lives to the Lord, to the church, and to their families, with attitudes like no other- meaning love of God and helping others along the way, and always sharing his faith in God and love of the family. Mr. Francis was a member of Calvary Assembly of God Church and very active in church work until his later years when he became somewhat limited in hearing, seeing, and walking and was unable to attend church, however, always welcoming members who called and ones who dropped in to visit him in person. He was an extraordinary husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and great-grandfather, uncle and loved by the church, and many friends and family.Special thanks go to Janet Lovil and Jeana Wallace for their devout devotion and love in checking in on their uncle Floyd weekly throughout the years, and also to the homecare facility, At Home Healthcare, with extra thanks to Wanda Lambeth and Helen Snitker who tended to his many needs with love and care for the elderly. He indeed appreciated their kindness and care.Pallbearers will be grandsons and great-grandsons, Brian K. Davis, Steve, Randy, Eric, Daniel, and Josh Francis.Condolences may be made at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Floyd Wilson Francis

September 23, 1912 - August 10, 2010