Benjamin Sr. Francis

St. Martinville - Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 17, 2006, at Notre Dame Catholic Church in St. Martinville for Benjamin Francis, Sr., 84, who died Wednesday, October 11, 2006 at Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in Shreveport, LA. Interment will be in St. Michael Cemetery in St. Martinville, LA. Mr. Francis was a veteran of the U.S. Army having served in World War II. He was a member of the Union Benevolent Society, American Legion, D.A.W. and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Also, he was an entrepreneur. His main business was a sugar cane farmer for more than 40 years, where he rightfully retired. He had a passion for agriculture, which also lead him to become an okra broker. Benjamin was a multi tasked and talented man who also operated a nightclub named after himself that earned him a respectful name in his community as a proprietor. In addition, he briefly sold insurance products. Benjamin was a family man and he knew and loved the Lord. Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years, Verdell Wiltz Francis of St. Martinville; his five sons, Benjamin "Brother" Francis, Jr. and his wife, Ginger, Ronald Francis and his wife, Franca all of St. Martinville, Lennis Francis and his wife, Tina of Fairfield, CA, Jason Francis and his wife, Gail of La Rose, and Crenel Francis and his wife, Michelle of Tallahassee, FL.; his three daughters, Vernell Johnson and her husband, Jeffery of Lafayette, Hilda Rose Hardy and her husband, Harold of Beaumont, TX, and Prinella Fruge' and her husband, Stephen of Sunset; his two brothers, Joseph and Mitchell Francis, Sr. both of St. Martinville; his three sisters, Mary Ella Guillory, Gertie Mae Landry, and Ester Rena James, all of St. Martinville; sixteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Francis and Alexandria Turpeau Francis; his son, Hayward Francis; his brother, Adam Francis; and three sisters, Viola Dauphine, Bernice Glover and Margaret Daigre; several uncles, aunts and sister/brother-in-laws. The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 4:00 p.m. ~ 10:00 p.m. on Monday and resume at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday until time of service. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Monday. Pellerin Funeral Home of St. Martinville is in charge of arrangements.