Martha Jane Francis
August 11, 1924 ~ December 20, 2003
Resided in:
Phoenix, AZ
Martha Jane Francis, 79, died Saturday, December 20, 2003, in Phoenix, Ariz. Born August 11, 1924, in Brookfield, Missouri, she was the youngest of eight children of the late Claud V. and Marie E. Lillian Francis. Her father owned the Francis Ice Cream Co. in Bessemer. She graduated from Central High School and Pueblo Junior College in Pueblo, Colo., and attended art school in Santa Fe, New Mex. She was an artist and resided in Phoenix, Ariz. for the past fifty years. Preceded in death by brothers, Claud V., Jr., Elmer Wesley, Chester Linn, and Charles Lee; and sister, Lillian F. Anderson. Survived by sisters, Mary Ellen Brown and Doris F. Brownlee; six nephews and three nieces. A graveside service will be held 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 31, 2003, at Mountain View Cemetery (Please use East Acero entrance), with Pastor Gwen Brown of Westminster Presbyterian Church officiating. Memorials may be made to CSU-Pueblo Art Department through the funeral home.
I did not know Martha, but I sure do remember Francis IceCream. When we were “young” our biggest thrill was to go to Francis IceCream and get a double dip cone. To this day I still miss Francis IceCream. We probably met some of the Francis’ children working there but as time goes on you just don’t remember. I do remember Mr. Francis though as he was so good to all of the kids. Just Christmas night as my husband and I were driving down Northen Avenue I said, Well, there is where Francis IceCream used to be-sure wished it was still there because they had the best. My sympathy, along with Tom’s, is expressed to the Francis’ family. Tom and Midge Montgomery.