Murl Francis

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Murl Francis, 89, died July 3, 2016, at the Miner Nursing Center in Miner, Missouri.

She was born Jan. 24, 1927, in Double Springs, Alabama, to the late William Jackson and Flora Jane Curtis Welborn.

She married Ralph Edward Francis on Oct. 12, 1946, in Charleston, Missouri. He preceded her in death on Dec. 13, 1991.

She worked in food services at Missouri Delta Medical Center and was a member of the Sikeston Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses.

She is survived by seven sons, Greg Francis of Jefferson City, Missouri, Roger Francis of Maryville, Missouri, Larry Francis of Smyrna, Tennessee, Charlie Francis of Cape Girardeau, Randy Francis of Sikeston, Don Francis of Cape Girardeau and Jim Francis of Sikeston. She also is survived by two daughters, Barbara Landers of Canalou, Missouri, and Linda Poyner of Bloomfield, Missouri. Also surviving are 18 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Murl is preceded in death by four sisters and four brothers.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Ponder Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m., with Major Clark, an elder in the Sikeston Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, officiating.

Burial will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston.

Online condolences may be sent to ponderfuneralhome.com.