Lena Francis

Mary Selena Clubb Francis, 101, departed this life and moved to a new home in Heaven on Tuesday, March 21, 2023.

She was born June 27, 1921, in Bollinger County, Missouri, to John W. and Carrie Bess Withers. Lena and Cecil M. Clubb were married Dec. 14, 1942. He passed away Nov. 26, 1987. Lena and Robert Francis were married Oct. 9, 2004. He passed away April 2, 2007.

Lena was a member of Marble Hill (Missouri) United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women and Kitchen Sunday School Class. She was also a former Rebekah Lodge member. Lena, at her advanced age, volunteered at least two days per week at the senior center and worked there until her health prevented her from continuing.

Although most of her life was spent as a homemaker, during World War II she worked at an ammunition plant in St. Louis to support the war effort. She also had a remarkable memory when it came to birth dates, not only of her family, but almost everyone around her.

Lena survived two extremely serious bouts of pneumonia, which would have been fatal to most people, but she was able to persevere and amaze the hospital staff with her tenacity at recovering. Over many years of Lena's life, she acquired many friends. One of the amazing things that occurs when you live to be more than 100 years old is that you lose most of your friends. The last few years of Lena's life have been much more difficult as she continued to lose her hearing, and it was hard to communicate. On the occasion of her 100th birthday, her life was celebrated with a party where most of her family and remaining friends were able to be with her.

She is survived by two sons, John (Vickie) Club of St. Charles, Missouri, and Bob (Jean) Clubb of Leopold, Missouri; three grandsons, J.P. (Laura) Clubb of Cape Girardeau, Nicholas (Hannah) Clubb of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, and Tyler (Lyndsey) Clubb of Leopold; granddaughter, Stacie (Patrick) Burke; six great-grandchildren, Lorelai, Elizabeth, Truman, Olivia, Larsyn and Brecken Clubb; stepson, Robert (Nancy) Francis of Maryland; stepdaughter, Margie Davies of California; six stepgrandchildren; five great-stepgrandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Lena was preceded in death by a son, Richard (Glee) Clubb of Forsyth, Missouri; parents; three brothers, George, Troy and Junior Withers; as well as one grandchild.

Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at Creekside Faith Fellowship in Marble Hill.

The funeral will immediately follow at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at the church, with Pastor Tim Zych officiating.