Mary Francis

~ Mary Valina Brice Leonce Francis

Mary (Vay)Brice Leonce Francis was born in Micoud, St. Lucia, BWI, on May 2, 1932 to Euphita Emmanuel Charles. She spent most of her adult life in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

She is a graduate of Charlotte Amalie High School in St. Thomas.  She was married to Edmund S. Francis on April 28, 1962 and from this union their daughter, Beverley Francis-Gibson and son Terry Sylvester Francis were born.

Mary or Vay as she was affectionately called worked in the restaurant and retail industry while in St. Thomas. Upon retirement she moved to Atlanta, GA and Columbia MD to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She was a self-taught seamstress who loved cooking, singing and dancing. Her commitment to “family” was what made her the matriarch to everyone in her family.

Mary leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Beverley Francis-Gibson and her husband Vernon A. Gibson; her son Terry S. Francis and his wife Patrice Francis., her sisters Therese Colita Leonce, and Marie Therese (Lorna) Smalls; her grandchildren Djarta Halliday, Dr. Aria Halliday, Gabrielle Halliday, Kai Francis, Kenya Francis, Michael Francis, Joseph Francis and Symone Fogg and a host of uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.