ROSA MAE FRANCIS

On Resurrection Sunday, April 9, 2023, our beloved mother, grandmother, auntie, and friend Rosa Mae Francis was called home to be with the Lord. She was born April 2, 1927, in Gold Dust, Louisiana in Avoyelles parish to the late Henry Edison Sr. and Arvanah Winn Edison; the youngest of 11 children. Her family later moved to Opelousas and, in 1945, she graduated from the Opelousas, Louisiana Colored School. In 1947, she married Joseph Philogene Francis Sr. She and her family later moved to Washington, DC where Rosa Mae attended school and trained to become a certified nursing assistant. She accepted Christ at an early age and, after relocating to Washington, DC, she joined Peace Baptist Church in 1953 and was a faithful member until her passing. Rosa Mae was a dedicated and diligent employee of Providence Hospital for 20 years, retiring in 1987. She also worked part-time in housekeeping for years, forming relationships that extended well beyond her tenure. She is preceded in death by ten siblings (Erma Thomas, Malinda Carter, Mary Edison, Girleen Andrus, Ned Edison, Ben Edison, Frank Edison, Loretta Newman, Dilsie Taylor, and Henry Edison), spouse Joseph “JP” Francis Sr., daughters Elease Francis Harling and Viola Francis, daughter-in-law Gail Francis, and Grandson John Francis Jr. She is survived by 3 children (Joseph “Doc” P. Francis Jr, John Roy Francis, and Rita Mae Watkins), 11 grandchildren (Sylvester (Karla), Andre, Allen Jr. (Anita), Lonzo, Lorenzo (Sabrina), Ebony, Adrienne, Tiffany, Larrae, Autumn, and Brittany), 26 great-grandchildren (SJ, Morgan, Andrale, David, Constance, Allen III, Dominique, La’Quita, Ashley, Darius, Anthony W., Antonio, Sean, Aniya, Anthony, Lorenzo W., Lamont, Lorenzo, Jazzie, Taliah, La’Raye, Zjìnaiya, Amin, Rahshaun, Erron, and Elijah), several great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins, all of whom she loved with her whole heart. We will be celebrating the life of Rosa Mae Francis at 10:00am on Friday, April 28, 2023, at Peace Baptist Church at 712 18th St NE. Any flower donations should be sent directly to the church. Internment will be at National Harmony Memorial Park in Hyattsville, MD.

ROSA MAE FRANCIS

April 2, 1927 - April 9, 2023