A full-blooded American Indian, and a member of both the Navajo and Caddo tribes, she was born in Ft. Defiance, Arizona. As an educator, Mrs. Francis taught in Hoehne, CO, Philadelphia, PA, and at Clarke Middle School and St. Joseph Catholic School in Athens, GA. Mrs. Francis also worked for PMTI/Law.com, the American Language Program at the University of Georgia, and finally for the Special Education Department at Clarke Central High School until her retirement in 2010. She was a member of the Catholic Center Church, and sang alto with the Athens Master Chorale for 10 years.
Mrs. Francis is preceded in death by her parents, Philip and Leona Dixon, as well as by siblings Joann, Wynema, Craig, and Harrison. She is survived by her husband of 46 years, William Francis; daughters, Leeann Key and Jeanne Francis-Harris; grandson, Daniel Key III; siblings, Philip Dixon, Jr, Rhonda Garcia, Grace Yazzie, and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held 10AM Thursday, February 20th at the Catholic Center at the University of Georgia.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Mrs. Francis’ name be made to St. Katharine Drexel Regional Catholic School, 1053 Holland Rd, Holland, PA 18966, The Saint Katharine Drexel Mission Center and National Shrine, 1663 Bristol Pike, Bensalem, PA 19020, or to St. Mary’s Hospice, P.O. Box 6588, Athens, GA 30604.
Online condolences may be offered to www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com
Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.
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