Dorothy H. Francis

Dorothy (Dotty) Francis, age 89, went home to be with the Lord on August 11, 2017 after a long and difficult struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. Throughout this struggle, her husband Howard Francis was always by her side. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last December 2016. They raised three boys, Stephen, David and Jeffrey who each became responsible, independent men that have contributed to society in very different ways. Besides being a devoted and loving wife and mother, she was an artist. She saw beauty in nature everywhere she turned. She loved taking photos of flowers and other still life and was a prolific painter of stills and scenery. Her paintings and photos will live on after her and bring happy memories to her family.
Howard and Dotty also loved to travel. After Howard retired in 1985 they began travelling the world to visit their sons’ families ranging from California, Washington, Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama, Delaware and Israel. They particularly enjoyed travelling throughout Europe to hear son Jeff perform in opera productions.
Dotty was born on April 9, 1928 to Bert and Elsie (Harper) Greeson in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. She attended Poplar Bluff public schools and graduated in 1946 from PBHS. She attended First United Methodist Church in Poplar Bluff from an early age and she and Howard were actively involved in the Wesleyan Class. The friendships they made in the class proved to be their spiritual and social anchor throughout their lives together.
She was preceded in death by her parents and older brother, Earl (Pete) Greeson. Her two sisters, Betty Mickey of Poplar Bluff, Missouri and Mary Grace Peterson of Vian, Oklahoma survive her. She is also survived by her husband, Howard Francis of Frisco, Texas as well as her three sons and their wives, Stephen and Carol Francis of Hermosa Beach, California, David & Janine Francis of Frisco, Texas and Jeffrey and Efrat Francis of Ra’anana, Israel. She and Howard have four granddaughters, four grandsons, and five great-granddaughters.
A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 500 N Main Street in Poplar Bluff, Missouri on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 1pm. A reception will follow in the Christian Life Center at the church to visit with the family and celebrate Dotty’s life. The family suggests gifts be given to help advance research to end Alzheimer’s disease and enhance care for those living with the disease. To do so donate to Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.