MURFREESBORO, N.C. — Walter C. Francis, 83, passed away on Dec. 19, 2018, in the Vidant Roanoke Chowan Hospital of Ahoskie, North Carolina.

Mr. Francis was born in Northampton County, North Carolina, on Sept. 29, 1935, a son of the late John Eldridge and Vidie Spence Francis.

Walter was a welder by trade and worked for over 40 years with Union Camp.

He loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and gardener. Most of all, he loved his family and being with them.

Besides his parents, Walter was preceded in death by a son, Clark Francis; a sister, Nellie Shackleford; and a brother, John E. Francis Jr.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 63 years, Marie Galloway Francis; two sons, W. Keith Francis and wife, Elizabeth, of Sedley, Virginia; and Brian Francis and wife, Janet, of Murfreesboro, North Carolina; three grandsons, Walt Francis, Brandon Francis and wife, Lauren, and Justin Francis and wife, Kelly; a granddaughter, Sarah Francis; three brothers, Carter Francis of Georgia; Larry Francis and wife, Jan, of Murfreesboro; and Steve Francis and wife, Diana, of California; and a sister-in-law, Peggy Francis of Pendleton, North Carolina.

The family received friends on Friday, Dec. 21, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Garrett-Sykes Memorial Chapel, Murfreesboro, and other times in the home of Brian and Janet Francis.

The celebration of life service was on Saturday, Dec. 22, at 11 a.m., in the Meherrin Baptist Church, Murfreesboro, with the Rev. John Porter officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made directly to Meherrin Baptist Church, 519 Meherrin Lane, Murfreesboro, NC, 27855; or to Unexpected Grace Ministries, PO Box 458, Courtland, VA, 23827; or you may donate online by visiting www.tmcfunding.com/search; then type Walter Francis.

Garrett-Sykes Memorial Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Francis family, and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.