Howard Francis

Howard Francis, 92, of Bloomington, IL., formerly of Ackerman, Mississippi, passed on Sunday, February 22, 2026 at the ARC at Normal Nursing Home, Normal, Illinois. Funeral Service will be Friday March 6, 2026  at 1 p.m., from Reform Chapel M. B. Church, 5916 Reform-Sturgis Road, Ackerman, MS  39735. Visitation will be Thursday from 4 until 6 p.m., from the Beck Funeral Home, 4860 MS Hwy. 12, Weir, MS. 39772.  Burial will be in the Church Cemetery. Beck Funeral Home of Weir in charge of arrangements.

Howard was born September 13, 1933 to the parents of John W. Francis and Emma Blackman Francis.

Howard was preceded in death by his wife, Ollie Mae; parents, John and Emma Francis; brothers, Melvin, Charles and Clois; sisters, Vivian (Bill) Ashford and Annie Laura Holmes.

Howard is survived by his son, Demetric (Gina) Francis of Jacksonville, NC. and daughter, Sharon Francis of Normal, IL; brothers-in-law, Jim (Effie Mae) Moore and Terry (Jennette) Moore; sisters-in-laws, Helen Moore Hannah, Garay (Johnnie) Esters, Maude McCoy, Claudine Davis and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.