Altavista……….Wade Hampton Francis, age 86 of 1416 Lynch Road, Altavista, died Thursday, March 15, 2012 in the Veterans Care Center in Roanoke.
Born May 5, 1925 in Halifax County, he was a son of the late Jim Francis and Lena Clay Francis. Mr. Francis was predeceased by five brothers, Thornton Francis, Herman (Dukey) Francis, Pud Francis, Dickey Francis, and James (Rit) Francis; and three sisters, Lucy M. Mann, Alice Compton, and Lizzie Mae Power. He was retired employee of the Lane Company and was an Army veteran of World War II. Mr. Francis was a tobacco farmer. He enjoyed, squirrel and rabbit hunting, and fishing.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dottie Sue Irby Francis of the residence; four sons, Glenn Francis and wife, Liz of Hurt, Carlton Francis of Altavista, Larry Francis of Gretna and David Francis of Hurt; three daughters, Sue Emerson and husband, Joe of Altavista, Wanda Simpson of Gretna and Dale Adkins and husband, Jeff of Gretna; three sisters, Arlene (Tiny) Waller of Rustburg, Cathalenn Griffin of Alberta and Ethel Pilley of Powhatan; 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 18, 2012 at Colbert-Moran Chapel by Rev. Steve Pittman. Burial with military honors by the Virginia Army National Guard Honor Guard will follow in Gretna Burial Park.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 17, 2012 at Colbert-Moran Funeral Home, and other times will be at the residence.
Colbert-Moran Funeral Home, Gretna is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.colbertmoran.com.