Ellen Worrell Francis

Published 5:18 pm Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Ellen Maria Worrell (Jernigan) Francis is rejoicing in Heaven now! 

Ellen Worrell Francis, 95, passed away on Feb. 7, 2023. She was born on June 23, 1927, and preceded in death by her parents, Harvey Linwood Worrell and Lillian Gomer Worrell; her husbands, Forest Powell Jernigan and David “D.D” Francis and sons-in-law, Thomae Jones, Durwood Rhodes and Aubrey Barnes. She is survived by her daughters, Gloria Jones, Judith Rhodes, Donna Barnes, Anne (Mitch) Bauman and Mary (Marshall) Anderson; 12 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.

She graduated from Holland High School in 1943, was a member of Holy Neck Christian Church all of her life and enjoyed her Ladies Sunday School class. She also served as a volunteer at Obici Hospital and donated blood to the Red Cross at every opportunity to help others in need. She will be remembered for loving her family and friends and for taking care of her daughters by working at Lipton Tea for over 33 years to give them the opportunity of a good life. She taught the value of honest work and the importance of saving money. One of her favorite quotes was, “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”. She dearly loved her little white house in the country where she lived for almost 50 years. She enjoyed watching Charles Stanley every Saturday night and reading the Guidepost at bedtime. One of her favorite bible verses was John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” She also loved to recite from memory the story of the birth of Christ.

She had a special fondness for the local farming community where she grew up and especially enjoyed growing tomatoes and cucumbers and picking her blueberries and pears. She and David (D.D.) had such fun together growing and selling watermelons. She loved sharing stories with her treasured friend, Ellis Holland, who always found the time to visit and have a cup of coffee. Ellen was a great cook and freely shared her cucumber pickle recipe so others could enjoy them. She was known for making delicious cakes to deliver to friends, family and neighbors for any occasion. Her three-layered orange pineapple cake was her favorite. She canned and froze vegetables all summer to enjoy in the winter. She loved to sing and was quite a good dancer. Her latest favorite was Daniel O’Donnell, an Irish singer known for his country and easy-listening music. Ellen appreciated every little thing anyone would do for her. She made everyone feel special when they came by and always insisted they have something good to eat before they left. The family would like to thank those who helped us care for mom in her later years: Janet, Debbie, Tamara and especially Marie Munford who devotedly cared for her for the past five and a half years and made every day a better day for her.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, 509 W. Washington St. Burial will follow in Holly Lawn Cemetery, then a reception afterward at Holy Neck Christian Church, 4400 Holy Neck Road. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10, at the funeral home. Condolences may be made at RWBakerFH.com.