Karl Hemisford Francis

Karl Hemisford Aloysius Francis was born at Victoria Jubilee Hospital in Kingston, Jamaica on August 5, 1930, and christened at Holy Trinity Cathedral on North Street. He was raised by his mother and grandmother in Whitfield Town and Greenwich Town. They lived in one-room apartments at 15 different tenement yards throughout his childhood and early adulthood. He has fond memories of trips to the countryside and holiday picnics with them. His grandmother called him Harold and Harry, which he did not like. As a young adult he stopped responding to that nickname and they started calling him Maas Karl.

Karl began his education at Love Lane Elementary School and continued at his studies at Tutorial College in Kingston where he studied general academics, Latin, and Greek history and literature. His first job was a Christmas holiday wrapper at Handal’s Haberdashery. His grandmother helped him get his second job with the Jamaica Gleaner Company (local newspaper) where he worked as an apprentice bookbinder for almost three years. However, he left under bitter circumstances after not receiving an expected apprenticeship salary increase. His supervisor was screaming “Him not getting it, ‘im not getting it, ‘im not getting it!!” After he resigned, the Gleaner eventually paid all back-payments owed to avoid trouble with the trade union. He continued his apprenticeship with Rogers & Hendricks printing company for a short while.

Karl enrolled in evening classes for bookkeeping at Wellington Commercial School, which helped him land a position with Banana Industry Insurance Board as a field inspector and payroll clerk. In 1954 he took the Associate Examination in bookkeeping with the Institute of Bookkeepers. Several months after the exam, his teacher Mr. Walker rode his bicycle all the way to Karl’s job to deliver the good news that not only had he passed the exam, but that he also scored first place in Jamaica! He remained with the Banana Board for 11 years. This position paved the way for him to “move up in life” and purchase his first home in Pembroke Hall at age 31, before he was even married. This purchase fulfilled his ambition of owning his own home for his parents, and to no longer be at the mercy of any more landlords. Karl ultimately settled into a lucrative career at Western Terminals, the container terminal at the Port of Kingston as an accountant and payroll clerk, where he retired after 29 years.

Karl was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church. His first communion was at Greenwich Town Methodist Church around the age of 25. At the same time, he also enjoyed visiting other churches and denominations including Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Church of God, Pentecostal, Seventh Day Adventist, and even the Jehovah’s Witnesses. He eventually settled down at Pembroke Hall Methodist Church where he also served as the bookkeeper for over 30 years. For the last 15 years of his life, he was a faithful member of Grace Bible Church of Central Florida.

Karl and Millisent first met when she moved into the house across the street from him in Pembroke Hall. She was so involved with her church that at first he thought she wanted to be a nun. So, when he found out that she wanted to marry and have children the idea clicked in his mind that she was “the one” for him! They married in August 1964, and he was immensely proud to have been married to Millisent for over 61 years. Despite the fact that he did not have male role models growing up, he was a wonderful husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, cousin, and friend.

Interesting tidbits about Karl:

• Karl’s paternal grandfather served in World War I with the British West Indies Regiment and was killed in action in Egypt.

• His father was born in Sierra Leone, West Africa, but raised in Jamaica.

• In his youth, Karl was boy scout and Army cadet.

• He enjoyed track and field, soccer, amateur boxing, and weightlifting.

• One of Karl’s hobbies was raising rabbits, ducks, and chickens.

• He was a history buff, an avid reader and liked talking about politics and current events.

• Karl enjoyed doing yard work and keeping his property in immaculate condition.

• He had a wicked sense of humor and enjoyed telling funny old-time stories and jokes.

• Karl could still touch his toes and even place his palms flat on the floor well into his 90s!

• He maintained his strong handshake even in his later years.

Preceded in death by his eldest daughter Karlene in 2018, Karl leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife Millisent, daughters Melaine, Georgia, and Janice. Sons-in-law Jeff, Dmitriy, and Tim. Grandchildren Crystal, Jeffrey, Benjamin, Andrew, and Jasmine. Cousins Louis, Delores, Miguel, Olga, Phyllis (Pansy), Elaine, Earlton, and Elena. Longtime friends John “JC” Williams and Sherman “Junior” Daley.

Services have been entrusted to Woodlawn Funeral Home.

A viewing for Karl will be held on Friday, November 7, 2025 at 10 am at Grace Bible Church located at 801 Dorscher Road, Orlando, FL 32818.

Karl's funeral service will follow on the same day at the same venue at 11 am and will be live-streamed. Please see the following link: https://www.youtube.com/live/huRWz

His committal service will take place immediately following at Orlando Memorial Gardens located at 5264 Ingram Road in Apopka, FL 32702.