Martha Kathleen Francis

Martha Kathleen Francis, 75, of St. Louis, MO., and formerly of Goreville, died on May 1, 2003, at the Bethesda Nursing Home in St. Louis, MO. at 4 p.m.

Memorial services will be held at the Blue Funeral Home in Goreville on Saturday, May 10, 2003 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Steve Lindsey officiating. Burial will be in Busby Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Busby Church Building Fund or the Busby Church Cemetery. Envelopes are available at the funeral home or may be sent to the Blue Funeral Homes, P.O. Box 411, Marion, Ill. 62959.

Martha Kathleen Francis was born in Goreville on June 20, 1927, to Sam and Alphye Rendleman  Francis.

Survivors include sisters, Faye Johnson, Alena and Don Bradshaw, Ruby and Bob Bequette and Imogene Bradshaw; nieces and nephews who knew her as Aunt "Katie" and many cousins she held dear. She was a faithful, generous and a good friend to many.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Mildred Johnson, Ann Wheaton, Helen Francis; brothers, Almus, Kenneth and Robert Francis.

Kathleen was an active, devoted member of the Third Baptist Church in St. Louis for 56 years. She retired in 1977 from working in the St. Louis office of the Internal Revenue Service. She received awards for her years of service. She enjoyed her retirement and spent every Wednesday in the church kitchen, preparing and serving the evening meal. She was a volunteer for many years at the Fox Theater as an usher and loved her life in the city. She worked in her neighborhood where she lived for many years to make it a better place. She enjoyed traveling and crocheting. She was avid reader and was up to any adventure.