Carolyn Susan Francis

Carolyn Susan Francis passed away peacefully in her sleep, next to her eternally devoted husband, Burt Raymond Francis, Jr on August 13, 2024 at the age of 84. Susan was born in Lebanon, TN on July 2, 1940. She fondly recalled her childhood, especially the many hours spent at the country store operated by her grandfather in Bellwood, TN. She graduated from Lebanon High School in 1956. After an early marriage and move to Alabama, her son James Marvin Brock III was born in 1959. She ultimately returned to her roots back to Lebanon to raise him with loving support from her family and community. Susan went on to obtain credentials so that she could pursue a career as a legal secretary. She worked for many years with various law firms in Nashville, TN. It was there that she met her future husband, Burt R. Francis, Jr. The two were married in 1972 and spent several years on Burt’s family’s farm in Kingston Springs, TN while he practiced law in Nashville. They welcomed a daughter, Susanne Elizabeth Francis, in 1980. The family then moved frequently over the next ten years while Burt re-entered Active Duty in the United States Navy. Ultimately after his retirement, they settled in Versailles, KY where Burt worked as an attorney and then an Administrative Law Judge with the Office of Hearings and Appeals, Social Security Administration in Lexington. Susan was a loving wife and mother and enjoyed actively participating in all of her daughter’s activities including piano, band, softball, and volleyball. In her later years, she went on to move with her husband to Richmond, VA to be close to their daughter and grandchildren, whom she adored. She attended many of their sports games, concerts, birthday parties, and holiday celebrations. One of her favorite activities was taking her grandson, Mark to dinner with the other residents at the assisted living facility. He quickly became known as the local celebrity. Susan will be remembered for her pleasant and welcoming nature, her gentility, her devotion to her family, her sweet Southern drawl, and her tremendous love of animals. After an arduous battle with dementia, and more recently cancer, she suffers no more. We take comfort in our faith knowing that she is warmly reunited with family members who have passed before her, and with her all of her beloved dogs that she loved so much over the years. In lieu of flowers, we suggest a donation in her honor to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Susan is survived by her husband, Burt Raymond Francis, Jr; son, James Marvin Brock III; daughter, Susanne Francis McLaughlin (Patrick); grandchildren, Crystal Higgins (David), Jessi Gower (Chad), Staci Dawes (Lake), Mallory McLaughlin, and Mark McLaughlin; great-grandchildren, Alivia Higgins, Owen Gower, and Deacon Gower; sister, Cherrie Wiser (Ken); niece, Michelle Anderson (Robert); and nephew, Michael Carpenter (Amanda); along with great nephews.