Charles William Francisco Jr.

Charles William Francisco Jr., 81, of Roanoke County, Va., passed away on Monday, December 14, 2009, peacefully in a local hospital after a long battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles William Francisco Sr. and Lula Blanche Stanley; his first wife, Ann Francisco; brothers, Ted Francisco, of Petersburg, Va., and Clayton Francisco, of Salem; and sisters, Beulah Campbell, of Salem, and Eva Meador, of Hardy. Surviving are his wife, Eleanor Evans Francisco; and stepson, William (Bill) Evans, of Roanoke. Also surviving are sisters, Blanche Edwards, Eula Simmons and Lottie Reynolds; brother, Jerry Francisco and wife, Maxine; sisters-in-law, Hazel and Geneva; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was a member of Salem Baptist Church but had been attending New Creations Ministries, due to family affiliation. He loved life, lived it to the fullest and never met a stranger. His interests included gardening, cooking and his life's work, truck driving. He was employed in the trucking business for 63 years, 42 of those with Wilson Trucking Corporation. His family wishes to thank Dr. Fintel for his faithful and caring support and also for the loving staff in the Oncology Department of Lewis Gale Medical Center. The family will receive friends at Lotz Funeral Home in Salem from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 16, 2009. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 17, 2009, at Lotz Salem Chapel with the Rev. James Angle officiating. Interment will follow in Sherwood Memorial Park.