Lucy T. Francis

Lucy T. Francis, 93, formerly of Stevensville and Baroda, Michigan, passed away Thursday, March 8, 2012 at her home in Chelsea, Michigan. A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held 11:30 A.M. Monday at Riverview Park Christian Church, 2929 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. David Stout officiating. Cremation will follow the service with burial at Crystal Springs Cemetery. Friends may call from 2:00 until 4:00 P.M. Sunday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorials may be made to Riverview Park Christian Church. Those wishing to sign Lucy’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Lucy was born April 29, 1918 in West Frankfort, Illinois to Charles & Effie (Renfrow) Thorpe. On January 2, 1937, she married Robert H. Francis in Anna, Illinois. Lucy was employed at VM Corporation and Avion Coach in Benton Harbor, and retired in 1981 from Harding’s Market in Stevensville. She was a member of Riverview Park Christian Church in St. Joseph. Lucy is survived by her son-in-law John Phelps of Chelsea; a daughter-in-law Kwan Fung Francis of Hong Kong; two grandchildren-Robin (Tye) Jewell & Oliver Phelps; two brothers-in-law-Nick Abrignani & Charles Francis; and numerous nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her eight brothers & sisters-James Thorpe, Guy Thorpe, Wallace “Speed” Thorpe, Charlie “Deacon” Thorpe, Robert “Paljack” Thorpe, Nellie Wassan, Annabelle Owsley, Elizabeth Abrignani, her husband Robert in 1997, two sons-Lester Francis in 1961, Robert Francis in 1996, her grandson Jason Phelps in 1997, and her daughter Barbara Phelps in 2003.