Lela Francis

Lela Marie "Ree Ree" Francis, 89, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

She was born Aug. 12, 1922, in Illmo, to Harl and Lela Ann Davis Gammon. She and Joseph A. Francis were married July 29, 1940, in Cape Girardeau. He preceded her in death Dec. 31, 2003. They had been married 63 years.

Lela was a graduate of Central High School.

She had been a teletypesetter at the Southeast Missourian newspaper. She volunteered at Saint Francis Medical Center more than 24 years and was a member of its auxiliary. She was a former member and president of Exchangettes of Cape Girardeau. Lela had been a member of Cape Choraliers and had obtained her aviator pilot's license. She had been a Sunday school teacher and was a member of La Croix United Methodist Church.

Survivors include a son, Kirk Bradley Francis and wife Tammy of Bridgeton, Mo.; a daughter, Diana Jo Thompson and husband Tyrone of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Betty Hardy and husband Jay of Jackson; and two grandchildren, Jason Thompson of Houston and Amanda Francis and husband Beau Durio of St. Louis.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and two brothers.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jack Cathcart officiating. Entombment will be in Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Memorial contributions may be given to your favorite charity.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.