Lynn D. Francis
SUFFOLK—Lynn Duke Francis, 60, died Jan. 5, 2009, at Lake Prince Woods Skilled Care Center, following complications from diabetes.
She was born November 7, 1948, in Suffolk, to the late George C. and Virginia M. Duke.
She graduated from Forest Glen High School in 1966 and attended Campbell College.
On March 23, 1989 she was united in marriage to Larry W. Francis in Baton Rouge, La.
Mrs. Francis retired in 1998 from Union Camp Corporation in Franklin. During her career, she held many positions, including executive secretary to the Controller.
She was a member of Holland Christian Church. She was also a past member of the Holland Junior Woman’s Club.
She was accomplished in the art of ceramics, including teaching classes and displaying her creations at many art and craft shows including Chippokes.
Survivors include her husband Larry: her daughter and her husband. Patty and Steve Dunn; her stepson Michael Francis; two granddaughters, Megan and Kristin Dunn; two brothers, Buckley (Clara) Duke and Tommy (Judy) Duke; a niece, Stephanie Duke, two nephews, Michael (Fran) Duke and Billy (Stephanie) Duke; an aunt Bobby (J.B.) Wiggins, and a very special lifelong friend, Joan (Barry) Pavlina.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Jack Hummel whom she cared for during a long courageous battle with cancer.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the chapel of Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, with the Rev. Robert Bunn of Holland Baptist Church officiating.
Interment will follow in Holland Community Cemetery.
The family will receive friends today from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P. O. Box 1224, Franklin, Va. 23851, and the American Diabetes Association, P O Box 1132, Fairfax, Va. 22038.
The family would like to thank all the staff of the the Lake Prince Memory and Skilled Care Units for the gentle care and compassion shown Lynn during her valiant fight.
A special thanks also to Shirley Watson, her companion and caretaker while at Lake Prince.
Condolences may be offered at www.wrightfuneralhome.org.