Francina Thomas Faison

Francina Thomas was born in Sanford, Florida, November 13, 1925, to Lessie Thomas and Robert B. Thomas. Sr. She was one of four children, which included Jester, Charlotte, and Robert, Jr., who later became Sanford's first black elected Commissioner.
As a young girl, Francina loved the beautiful moon lit nights, listening to the heavy rainfall, and roller skating up and down 13th Street. She attended Sanford's Red School and Crooms Academy; and was a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church.
As a teenager, Francina loved to dance the Jitterbug, sing, and sport the fashionable Pompadour hair style (with her waist-length hair). She loved music, especially Big Band Jazz and Gospel. She was one of the first blacks to work at Sanford's Ritz Theater, as a Ticket Agent.
Francina married John F. Faison, Sr., in Sanford, Florida in 1945. They relocated to Red Bank New Jersey where John "F" was stationed after joining the U.S. Army. After honorable discharge from the service, they moved back to Sanford where they started their family. John Franklin, Jr., Iris Antoinette, and Debra Jean were born. In 1955, they moved to Rochester, NY, where they expanded the family. Ronald Patrick, Francina Anita, Karen Elaine, and Reginald Thomas were born.
Not one to sit idle, Francina was always resourceful. She was certified as a Nurse's Aide, and worked at St. Mary's Hospital before joining Stromberg Carlson, where she learned to assemble circuit boards for computers. After the company closed its doors and moved operations south, Francina was employed and retired from General Motors Rochester Products.
Francina was a long-time member of Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church in Rochester, New York, and a member of the senior choir. One of her proudest moments there, was singing with the choir at the home going service of world-renowned Baritone William C. Warfield in 2002.
The Lord saw fit to bless our beautiful Mother Francina with 100 years! After celebrating her birthday with family (in Williamsburg, VA, where she moved five years ago) on Thursday, November 13th, Mom peacefully departed this life on Thursday, November 20th. She was predeceased by her husband, John Sr; children, John Jr., Ronald Sr. and Debra Jean; father, Robert Sr.; mother, Lessie; brothers, Jester and Robert Jr.; sister, Charlotte; son-in-law, Kenneth Sr.
She leaves to cherish her wonderful memories:
Children - Iris A. (Joey) Weaver, Francina A. Mosley, Karen E. Faison, Reginald (Angela) Faison and Jeweldean Johnson.
Grandchildren - LeShay (Nicole) Weaver, LeAndrew (Markelia) Weaver; Kenneth Mosley Jr, Jason Mosley, Consuelo Faison, Damien (Misha) Faison, Cornelius Strong Jr, Corey A. Faison Sr, Tiffany (Lawrence) Faison, Karen (Jacinto) Ramos, Ronald (Destiny) Faison Jr, Calvin, Chastity, Christina M., Christina R., DeVon M; Lita, Rhonda and Dino.
Great Grandchildren - Chanel, Kylan, Destiny, Paris, Tyler, Keyanna, Kelaysia (Jonathan), Keliyah, Jockeith, Justin, Eugene; Jamese, Nia; Damien Jr, DaJohna, Angel and an additional 19.
Great Great Grandchildren - J. Dakota McGill, Jahkor Faison, Navier Payne, Noah Payne, Nizel Payne, Navea Payne, Nariah Payne.
Special nieces Sandra Faison, Roslyn Aaron and Monica Fleming; longtime friend, Marie Hightower; cousin, Dorothy Rowland, and a host of loving family, church family and friends.