Avis de décès de Donna-Jeanne Francis

FRANCIS Donna Jeanne (Harris) Francis passed away peacefully on December 17, 2009, in her home surrounded by her beloved and loving family, following a valiant struggle with cancer. She was an angel on earth who has been prematurely called to join her heavenly counterparts. Donna was born in Rome, GA on July 2, 1952. As a child, she lived in the central Florida area before her family moved to Jacksonville. She later became a resident of Orange Park in 1978. She was a 1970 graduate of Terry Parker High School, and a 1972 graduate of the Florida Junior College Dental Assistant program. After working as a dental assistant for several years, Donna became a full time mother with the birth of the first of her two sons, and she continued her devotion to them until the time of her passing. Her mission in life was to be a loving wife and mother which she more than fulfilled. She was the ultimate volunteer, always ready to serve where there was a need including Pack 25 Den Mother and Committee Chairwoman; Team Mother of the OPAA Cyclone Football team; Parent Volunteer at Montclair Elementary, Lakeside Junior High, and Orange Park High School; Past President of the Orange Park Raider Touchdown Club; and numerous other positions of need throughout the years. Following that period of volunteerism, Donna was employed with the Clay County School Board as an ISS Aide, and then progressively served as the front office Secretary at Montclair Elementary, Records Secretary at Lakeside Junior High, and most recently as their ESE Secretary. Donna was a very loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend whose strong will drove her to be the very helpful and giving person she aspired to be. Her smile and gracious demeanor will be sorely missed. She is survived by her loving husband of 38 years, James J. 'Sonny' Francis; her sons Jason C. Francis (Colleen), and Adam M. Francis; her sisters Dianne Stickler (Rod), Sheryl Rivers, Carol Hanley, Gayle Bowers (Mark); also her brother David L. Harris; nieces and nephews Sean, Eric, and Todd Stickler, Christine Atkins, Gloria Lambert, Jeni Norstrom, Laura Bowers, Ryan and Kyle Hanley, and Margaret and Kathryn Harris. She was predeceased by her parents Ruy L. Harris and Gloria Folsom Harris. Visiting hours will be held on Monday evening from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Jacksonville Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 111 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park. Funeral services in celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at First Baptist Church of Orange Park, 1140 Kingsley Ave., Orange Park with Rev. David Tarkington officiating. Donna will be laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer at Jacksonville Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, kindly make memorial donations in her name to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32257. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com