FERN SHERMAN FRANCIS

ADVANCE -- Fern Sherman Francis, 88, of Advance died Saturday, Dec. 10, 1994, at Advance Nursing Center.

She was born Dec. 17, 1905 near Advance, the daughter of Charles W. Bess and Oma Elizabeth Shell Bess.

She marred W. G. Sherman on April 17, 1926. He preceded her in death. She later married Ollie Frances in July of 1972. He preceded her in death on Nov. 27, 1988.

She was a member of the Advance First Baptist Church.

She is survived by a son, Harold Charles Sherman of Route 1 Advance; three stepsons, Ivan Francis of Boco Raton, Ill., Alvin Francis of St. Louis, and Donald Francis of Cape Girardeau; a stepdaughter, Juanita Lynch of Advance; a brother, James Bess of Route 2 Advance; a sister, Helen Weissenborn of St. Louis; seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; and 6 step-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two sons.

Service will be conducted Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance, with the Rev. Scott Price and the Rev. Brad Sherman officiating. Burial will be in Morgan Memorial Park at Advance.

Friends may call at the funeral home Monday from 4 to 8 p.m.