Larry Francis

Larry David Francis was born June 14, 1952 in Sikeston, MO., the third of nine children born to Ralph and Murl Francis. Although Ralph's work in construction took the family briefly to Belleville, IL. and Kennett, MO., most of Larry's formative years were spent growing up in Sikeston, where he was a 1970 graduate of Sikeston High School.

As part of a large family, Larry learned to work hard and to share, two qualities that served him well in life. He was an early employee of Ramada Inn at Miner, MO. where his work ethic led to promotions to kitchen manager and eventually food and beverage manager. It was at Ramada Inn that Larry met and became acquainted with Peggy Bollinger of Blodgett, MO. Larry and Peggy married March 11, 1972. They looked forward to celebrating their golden wedding anniversary in 2022, before cancer cut his life short. Larry and Peggy were blessed with three sons: Larry Neil, Timothy David and Jonathan Kyle.

The family moved to Springfield, MO. when Larry became food and beverage director at the Drury Lodge. He managed Pizza Inn restaurants in Little Rock, AR. and in the Nashville, TN. area before becoming regional manager for Pizza Inn, overseeing company-owned restaurants in several states in the southeast. The family settled in Smyrna, TN. where they have resided since 1984.

Looking for a career change, Larry spent the last decades of his life selling cars in the Nashville area. In only his third month at Neill-Sandler Automotive in Murfreesboro, TN., he became the top salesman at the dealership, eventually being promoted to sales manager. He later joined Beaman Automotive Group in Nashville, where he worked until his retirement in 2018.

Larry was an avid dove hunter and fisherman, as well as a follower of the St. Louis Cardinals. He also enjoyed karaoke, so much so that he acquired his own karaoke system and song collection. His renditions of Elvis Presley hits and "Man of Constant Sorrow" were a hit at the annual Francis Family Reunion.

Larry is survived by his wife, Peggy, of the home; sons Neil (Angela Bailey) Francis of The Villages, FL., Tim (Vicky Drinnen) Francis of Memphis, TN. and Jonathan Francis of the home; and grandchildren Taylor O'Neal, Katie, Allison, Robert and Josh. He is also survived by six brothers: Greg Francis of Jefferson City, MO.; Roger Francis (Diane) of Maryville, MO.; Charles Francis of Cape Girardeau, MO.; Randy Francis of Miner, MO.; Don Francis of Sikeston, MO.; and Jim Francis of Sikeston, MO.; and by two sisters: Barbara (Bobby) Landers of Canalou, MO. and Linda Francis of Montgomery City, MO.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 4, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. until time of funeral service at 12:00 p.m. at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston, MO.

Burial will follow in Blodgett Cemetery in Blodgett, MO.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nunneleefuneralchapel.com for the Francis family.