Earnest Francis Sr. , 89 passed away peacefully on Sunday March 23, 2014 in Christus St. Patrick Hospital. Earnest was born on June 18, 1924 in Mallett, Louisiana to Sidney and Estella Dumas Francis.

Earnest moved to Lake Charles at a young age where he resided for 73 years and united in marriage with Mary Viola DeClues Francis on October 20, 1945. To this union, ten children were born. He was a founding member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church where he served as an Usher. He was also a member of the Holy Name Society, Knights of Peter Claver Council #141 and a lifetime member of the NAACP. He never missed an opportunity to cast his vote or to participate in local community activities.

He was a member of the Calcasieu Police Civil Defense for several years and assisted where needed after Hurricane Audrey. Earnest was employed for 38 years as an operator with Cities Service until his retirement. At the time of his Homegoing he was employed with Williams Progressive Life Insurance Company where he worked for the last 40 years and by the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff''s Department as a School Crossing Guard with 24 years of service. During his younger years, he also owned and operated the Horseshoe Club for which he is still sometimes affectionately called "Horseshoe". He will always be remembered for his loving and welcoming personality to all who knew him.

Earnest leaves to cherish in his memories his loving wife of 68 years, Mary Viola Francis; seven daughters: Elda (Donald) Black of Charlotte, NC; Dr. Stella Francis of Baltimore, MD; Jacqueline (Tommy) Harris of Aurora, CO; Dr. Ronda (Leroy) Gedward of Stone Mountain, GA; Vallarie Edwards of Austin, TX; Carol Francis and Phyllis (Tommy) Ashworth of Lake Charles, LA.; three sons: Earnest (Paulette) Francis Jr. of Lewisburg, TN; Darrel Francis and Michael (Tezra) Francis of Lake Charles, LA. and grandson Troy (Leah) Francis of Lake Charles, LA who was raised as his fourth son. He is also survived by two sisters: Catherine DeClues and Mary Ann (Herbert) Lafanette of Lake Charles, LA; sisters-in-law: Ella Mae Francis of Lake Charles, LA; Lucendy Francis and Martha Warner of Houston, TX; brothers-in-law: Herbert Lafanette of Lake Charles, LA and Jimmy DeClues of Houston, TX and a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren (Michelle Cole and Nelma Stephens), 30 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren and other family and friends.

Earnest was preceded in death by his parents Sidney and Estella Francis; brothers Herman, Joseph and Jules Francis; mother and father-in-law Morris and Aline DeClues; two sisters-in-law, eight brothers-in-law, two grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

A wake will be held on Friday, March 28, 2014 from 6 - 9 p.m. at Combre Funeral Home. The Knights of Peter Claver Council #141 will perform their presentation at 7:00 p.m. and the rosary will immediately follow. The funeral mass will be on Saturday, March 29, 2014 at 12 noon at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery Mausoleum under the direction of Combre

SERVICE INFORMATION

Service date: March 29, 2014

A wake will be held on Friday, March 28, 2014 from 6 - 9 p.m. at Combre Funeral Home. The Knights of Peter Claver Council #141 will perform their presentation at 7:00 p.m. and the rosary will immediately follow. The funeral mass will be on Saturday, March 29, 2014 at 12 noon at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery Mausoleum.