Juanita GL Francis

Preceded in death by her beloved husband Samuel Francis who met Juanita after his twin brother introduced them. Samuel had taken the death of their mother very hard and his brother introduced Juanita to Sam to help perk Sam up and lift his spirits. Juanita did exactly that and continued to for over 50 years. Juanita was preceded in death by her parents, sister, brother, nephew, husband and a host of relatives and friends.

Juanita and Sam have four children, Petrina, Lakeba, Rhonda, and Leonard, nine grandchildren, Nikki, Raheim, Rahsaan, Sharif, Russell, Noelle, Travis, Leonard, and Juanita along with twelve great-grandchildren; Tyrell, Terrany, Zse-Von, Zavier, Shanelle, Brooklyn, Keyanna, Brylon, Vaughan, Bryce, Naima, Logan and a loving daughter–in-law Penny, son-in-law Hank,

Juanita was raised in Harlem, New York attended Central Needle Trade now known as High School of Fashion Industries and business school. Juanita loved to sew, read, eat, and talk on the phone. Every Sunday after church Juanita would read the New York Times on the living room floor and she would fall asleep in one of her favorite poses on the floor. Juanita spent many years caring for the children in the Valley, nieces, nephews, and godchildren. Her home in the Bronx was referred to as a haven for all. Juanita had an open door, everyone was always welcomed in her home and she greeted them with a smile and a warm heart. She enjoyed playing Pokeno, going bowling with her husband and in-laws, dancing and singing. She sewed clothing for her daughters and taught her daughters how to sew. Juanita enjoyed taking her children to plays, museums and art galleries.

Juanita lived in the New York City for seventy-nine (79) years before moving to Texas in 2005. While in New York she loved going to church, visiting with her friend in the Valley Park, being a guest on Sally Jessie Raphael shows, taking cruises, trips out of the city, and was a frequent theater and movie goer. She worked at Bloomindales, the New York Telephone Company, The Internal Revenue Service, and Urban League.

Juanita’s last year and a half was spend under the loving care of the staff of Emeritus Assisted Living facility in Plano. Her friends there referred to her as a snappy dresser, she always had to have her nails polished and hair styled, with coordinating headbands. The staff at Emeritus will always remember her phase “ookie dookie smokey” and her two thumbs up gesture”

Juanita is survived by her loving children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and more friends than anyone could imagine.

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, November 24, 2014 at 10:00 AM at the Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, located at 2200 18th Street, Plano, TX 75074.

A visitation will be held the afternoon prior from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM at the Ted Dickey Funeral Home located at 2128 18th Street, Plano, TX 75074.

Ted Dickey Funeral Home in Plano has charge of arrangements.