MURFREESBORO, NC – Walter C. Francis, age 83, passed away on December 19, 2018 at Vidant Roanoke- Chowan Hospital of Ahoskie, NC.

Mr. Francis was born in Northampton County, NC on September 29, 1935, a son of the late John Eldridge and Vidie Spence Francis. Walter was a welder by trade and worked for over 40 years with Union Camp. He loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and gardener. Most of all, he loved his family and being with them.

Besides his parents, Walter was preceded in death by a son, Clark Francis; a sister, Nellie Shackleford; and a brother, John E. Francis, Jr.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 63 years, Marie Galloway Francis; two sons, W. Keith Francis and wife, Elizabeth of Sedley, VA, and Brian Francis and wife, Janet of Murfreesboro, NC; three grandsons, Walt Francis, Brandon Francis and wife, Lauren, and Justin Francis and wife, Kelly; a granddaughter, Sarah Francis; three brothers, Carter Francis of GA, Larry Francis and wife, Jan of Murfreesboro, NC, and Steve Francis and wife, Diana of CA; and a sister-in-law, Peggy Francis of Pendleton, NC.

The family will receive friends at the home of Brian and Janet Francis.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, December 22, 2018, at 11:00 am at Meherrin Baptist Church, Murfreesboro, NC, with Rev. John Porter officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made directly to Meherrin Baptist Church, 519 Meherrin Lane, Murfreesboro, NC, 27855, or to Unexpected Grace Ministries, PO Box 458, Courtland, VA, 23827; or you may donate online by visiting www.tmcfunding.com/search; then type Walter Francis.

Garrett-Sykes Memorial Chapel, Murfreesboro, is handling the arrangements for the Francis family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.