CAPRON—Vernie Willard Francis Sr., 87, a loving, kind, and gentle brother, husband, father, grandfather, and neighbor, died July 8, 2008.

Mr. Francis was born in Southampton County, a son of the late Joshua Arnold and Dona Vick Francis.

He was predeceased by his loving wife of 60 years, Miriam Maitland Francis, three sisters, Jessie Withers, Gladys Draper, Elsie Dover, and three brothers, L. T., Moncure, and Herbert Francis.

He was a Scoutmaster with Capron Boy Scout Troop 31, a charter member and director of the Capron Fire and Rescue Squad, past president of the Southampton County Fire and Rescue Association, and a charter member of the Indiantown Hunt Club.

He was a member of the Southampton County Citizen Road Naming Committee and the County Animal Control Board.

He was a former member of the Capron Town Council. Mr. Francis was a State Forest Warden and a Reclamation Manager for Virginia Mined Land Reclamation Department.

After retirement, he served on the Virginia Orphan Land Committee. Mr. Francis was a member of Capron Ruritan Club and the Courtland Masonic Lodge # 85 and Franklin Chapter of Order of the Eastern Star.

He was a U. S. Army veteran of WW II.

He was an active member of Capron United Methodist Church and served for many years as Charge Lay Leader.

Survivors include two sons, Vernie W. Francis Jr. and wife Esther of Courtland and J. Clay Francis and wife Maryanne of Edinburg, Va.; two sisters, Margaret Drake of Tennessee and Bertha Vaughan of Suffolk; five grandchildren, Angie F. Floyd and husband Chip of Chesapeake, Vernie W. Francis III of Capron, Joshua L, Francis of Knightdale, N.C., Lindsey F. Rush and husband Chip of Richmond, John B. Barksdale IV of Courtland, and longtime caregiver, Mamie Harris.

A graveside service, with military honors and Masonic Rites, will be conducted at 11 a.m. today at Capron Cemetery with the Rev. James M. Smith officiating.

The family will receive friends at the home of Vernie and Esther Francis, 20081 Ivor Road, Courtland, and suggests memorials be made to Capron Fire and Rescue, P. O. Box 128, Capron, Va. 23829. or Capron UMC, c/o Mrs. Kay Pope, 16208 Old Belfield Road, Capron, Va 23829.

Condolences may be offered at www.wrightfuneralhome.org