Norma Lilieth Francis

Visitation will be at 2:00 PM on Sunday, December 19th, 2021, followed by her Funeral services at 3:00 PM at Conway United Methodist Church, located at 3401 S. Conway Road, Orlando, FL 32812 with the Pastor Dianne Davis officiating. Her funeral service will be streamed on Conway’s Facebook Channel (https://m.facebook.com/144304868915/) and YouTube Channel (https://youtube.com/channel/UC_7DdcPF8GW09oYFPMvLX9w). Norma’s remains will be cremated according to her final wishes at a future date to be determined. Arrangements are by Baldwin-Fairchild Conway Funeral Home.

Norma was born in Seven Miles, Bull Bay, Jamaica, W.I. to James Downie and Agatha Williams on August 4, 1939. She was the second of six children (four brothers and a sister). She went to St. Benedict’s Primary School and Buxton High School and did her graduate studies at former Fitz Henley Commercial School (now known as Fitz Henley Business College). She married Edgar Francis September 20, 1963, in Jamaica, W.I. Norma moved to Canada to advance her studies three years (1970 – 1973). Norma migrated to the United States July 1980, with her two sons Michael and Brian Francis, joining her daughter Michele Dyer (who migrated two years earlier). She settled and lived in the Bronx up to the time that she retired at age 62 in 2001. She worked with several companies throughout her career, the last of which was as a Certified Practical Nurse for Split Rock Nursing Home for 18 years. After her retirement, Norma moved to Miramar, FL and eventually she settled in Orlando, FL. She was a member of Conway United Methodist Church, most recently under the leadership of Pastor Dianne Davis, where she regularly attended Sunday Services, Sunday School, and volunteered at numerous church community events that served those less fortunate.

Norma is preceded in death by her parents, James Downie and Agatha Downie and three of her brothers, Dalton, Kent, and Eddie Downie and one son, Earl Francis.

Norma is survived by her children, Michele Donna-Marie Dyer, Michael George Francis and his spouse Shirelle Francis, Brian Carey Francis and his spouse Sherryl Sharpe-Francis, her beloved sister (and best friend) Brenda Skeffrey and youngest brother Gary Downie; her grandchildren, Tiffany Amanda Chin, Khalilah Shellica Dyer, Brian Carey Francis. Jr., Gregory Anthony Francis, Brandon Corey Francis, Danielle Ashley Francis, Brianna Cecilia Francis, Olivia Nickole Francis and Zoe-Isabelle Lilieth Francis; and her great-Grandchildren, Sana Kai Ra, Levi Anthony Francis and Elena Joie Francis; her beloved nephew/son Carey Skeffrey and resident nurse/niece Nadine Philips; and her former spouse, Edgar Francis. She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, her Conway Church family, and numerous close, and dear friends here in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and Jamaica…too many to mention by name.

Norma’s quick wit, charm, no-nonsense personality, easy smile, and concern/love for people will be greatly missed. We know that she touched many lives, and that many of you could share stories that support what we know to be true about her. We, her family, rest in the fact that she knew her Maker, was saved by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, is suffering no more, and is with Our loving, merciful, and gracious Father. We rejoice in a life well lived, a life with highs and lows, but with no regrets, filled with unthinkable joy!

In lieu of flowers we are asking you to make a charitable donation to National Coalition of 100 Black Women – West Palm Beach Chapter (http://ncbw-wpbchapter.org/) in the name of Norma Lilieth Francis. This charity was selected to support a single mother who is battling cancer with two sons that are the age of Norma’s sons when they first migrated to the United States.

The family of Norma wishes to extend our sincere thanks to her caregiver up to the very end, Christine Campbell, all the nurses and doctors that provided care over the years, all her friends from Conway United Methodist Church, our extended family and friends that prayed for Norma and continue to pray for us as family, and to her Pastor Dianne Davis, a source of strength, love, and guidance to Norma and to us in this time of bereavement.