Capron – Vernie Willard Francis, Sr., 87, a loving, kind, and gentle brother, husband, father, grandfather, and neighbor, died July 8, 2008. He was born in Southampton County, a son of the late Joshua Arnold and Dona Vick Francis. Mr. Francis was predeceased by his loving wife of 60 years, Miriam Maitland Francis, three sisters, Jessie Withers, Gladys Draper, Elsie Dover, and three brothers, L. T., Moncure, and Herbert Francis.
He was a Scoutmaster with Capron Boy Scout Troop 31, a charter member and director of the Capron Fire and Rescue Squad, past president of the Southampton County Fire and Rescue Association, and a charter member of the Indiantown Hunt Club. He was a member of the Southampton County Citizen Road Naming Committee and the County Animal Control Board. He was a former member of the Capron Town Council. Mr. Francis was a State Forest Warden and a Reclamation Manager for Virginia Mined Land Reclamation Department. After retirement, he served as on the Virginia Orphan Land Committee. Mr. Francis was a member of Capron Ruritan Club and the Courtland Masonic Lodge # 85 and Franklin Chapter of Order of the Eastern Star. He was a U. S. Army veteran of WW II. He was an active member of Capron United Methodist Church and served for many years as Charge Lay Leader.
Left to cherish his memory are two sons, Vernie W. Francis, Jr, and wife, Esther, of Courtland and J. Clay Francis and wife, Maryanne, of Edinburg, VA; two sisters, Margaret Drake of Tennessee and Bertha Vaughan of Suffolk; five grandchildren, Angie F. Floyd and husband, Chip, of Chesapeake, Vernie W. Francis,
III, of Capron, Joshua L, Francis of Knightdale, NC, Lindsey F. Rush and husband, Chip, of Richmond, John B. Barksdale, IV of Courtland, and longtime caregiver, Mamie Harris.
A graveside service, with military honors and Masonic Rites, will be conducted Friday at 11 am at Capron Cemetery with the Rev. James M. Smith officiating. The family will receive friends at the home of Vernie and Esther Francis, 20081 Ivor Road, Courtland, and suggests memorials be made to Capron Fire and Rescue, P. O. Box 128, Capron, Va 23829. or Capron UMC, c/o Mrs. Kay Pope, 16208 Old Belfield Road, Capron, Va 23829. www.wrightfuneralhome.org