Anthony Gerald Francis

Anthony "Tony" Gerald Francis, of 128 Coventry Road, Greenville, died May 19, 2001, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

A lifelong resident of Greenville, he was the son of the late F.B. and Elizabeth Syracuse Francis. He was a graduate of Greenville Senior High School, an active member of both the business and Catholic communities, and chairman emeritus of Francis Produce Company. During the Korean Conflict he served his country in the U.S. Army in Germany. Also, he was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, serving as an usher for 50 years.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Susan McConnell Francis; a son, Anthony Gerald Francis Jr. of Atlanta, Ga.; a sister and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Paul P. (Kitty) Norman of Greenville; two brothers and their wives, James J. "Boo" and Helen Francis of Simpsonville and William R. and Jackie Francis of Greenville; mother-in-law, Mrs. Ruby E. McConnell of Greenville; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Joseph G. (Evelyn) Francis of Greenville; a brother-in-law, John Robert Pitts of Greenville; and 20 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Mrs. John Robert (Theresa Francis) Pitts and a brother, Joseph G. Francis.

A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. today at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Downtown with visitation to follow until 8:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12 noon Tuesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church on Washington Street. The Rite of Committal will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park, Section Q.

Memorials may be made to St. Joseph's Catholic High School, 4810 Frontage Road, Greenville, SC 29607 or St. Jude's Hospital, Box 318, Memphis, TN 28101.