Joe Francis

Waynesville, Josiah Wilson "Joe" Francis, age 88, passed away on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at his residence. A native of Haywood County, he was the son of the late Robert Cleveland "Bob" and Inez Ratcliffe Francis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Francis; a brother, Edward Eugene "Gene" Francis; and a nephew, Richard Francis. He was a United States WWII Navy Veteran having served on the USS Flagship. Joe was a 1942 graduate of Waynesville Township High School, and attended Mars Hill College and North Carolina State University. He made his career teaching Vocational Agriculture at West Henderson High School in Henderson County, North Carolina. Joe was an active and dedicated member of Calvary Road Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Evelyn Plemmons Francis; a nephew, Dr. Gary Francis and his wife, Barbara, of Richmond, Virginia; several great-nieces; one sister-in-law, M. Susie Francis of Waynesville; and a step-niece, Vicky Rogers, also of Waynesville. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at Calvary Road Baptist Church with Reverend John Swanger, III, Reverend J.D. Grant and Reverend Wayne Willett officiating. Burial will follow at Ratcliffe Cove Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:45 p.m. prior to services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Calvary Road Baptist Church Building Fund, 77 Sutton Loop, Waynesville, NC 28786 or Gideon International, P.O. Box 634, Waynesville, NC 28786.

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