Ollie Francis

Waynesville, Ollie Mae Francis, 97, passed away on Thursday, December 3, 2020 at Autumn Care of Waynesville.

Ollie was a lifelong resident of Haywood County and was the daughter of the late Charles "Elmer" and Fannie Mae Stevenson Chambers.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Grover Cleveland Francis, who died in 1996 after 54 years of marriage.  Ollie was also preceded in death by three sisters, Marybee Sheehan, Susie McCarson, and Elizabeth Sherrill; and two brothers, Steve and Shorty Chambers.

Ollie was lovingly known as Mamaw.  She was a homemaker who loved to garden, growing and breaking beans, tending her flowers, crocheting, and fishing.  She was adventurous and loved to camp with her children and travel to Mexico Beach, her home away from home.  She attended Elizabeth Chapel United Methodist Church.

Ollie is survived by three sons, Charles R. “Bob” Francis, and his wife, Betty, of Waynesville, James S. “Jim” Francis, and his wife, Joyce, of Waynesville, and Billy R. Francis, and his wife, Jennifer, of Ohio; a brother, James “Cat” Chambers and his wife, Betty, of Clyde; five grandchildren, Ronny Francis, Krista Francis, Rebecca “Becky” Heil, Tony Francis, and Kaylen Francis; six great-grandchildren, Abi, Ashley, Erica, Ashley Dawn, Everett, and Alyx; and one great-great-grandchild, Rosemary.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 6, 2020 at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park with Reverend Greg Metcalf officiating. Due to Covid-19, all protocols and mandates are requested to be followed, including mask.

The family would like to thank the staff of Autumn Care of Waynesville for their care and compassion over the last two years.

The care of Mrs. Francis has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes and an online memorial register is available at "Obituaries" at www.wellsfuneralhome.com