James "Jim" Francis

James Garland Francis (May 26, 1936-December 22, 2024)

James “Jim” Garland Francis (88) formerly of Bluefield for 85 of his years, went to be with his Lord on December 22, surrounded by his loving family in Williamsburg, Virginia. Jim was born at home in Bluefield, WV, on May 26, 1936, to the late Tom and Vernita Dunn Francis. 

Jim is survived by his wife, Barbara Holt Francis and he often recounted to family that he had loved Barbara from the moment that he saw her. They were happily married for 68 years. 

Surviving children include Fred Francis and his wife Kathy of Jonesborough, TN, Kathy Poe and her husband Danny of Williamsburg, Virginia, Linda Dotson and her husband Kenneth of Campbellsville, Ky, and Lisa Francis of Rustburg, Virginia. His grandchildren include Amy Ferrell, James Francis, Rebekah Hodges, and Alex Lay of (TN), David Poe, Steven Poe, and Matthew Poe of (VA), and Jacob Dotson, Jenna Crockett, Jonathan Dotson, and Julia Rodgers of (KY). Jim and Barbara were blessed with 28 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. 

Jim is also survived by his two brothers, John Francis of Clearwater, FL, and Albert Francis of Crozet, Virginia, as well as one sister, Betty Shrader of the Bluefield area.

After graduating from Bluefield High School, Jim worked various jobs including the N&W Railroad, Pittsburg Plate Glass, Flowers Bakery, Smith-Transfer with Jim retiring from maintenance at Bluefield Community Hospital.

 Jim was known throughout his life for his competitive nature. He played softball on the Maple View Christian Church team and loved card games, cornhole, and horseshoes; however, the game that he grew to enjoy most was playing golf at the local courses. Camping was also a favorite activity for Jim and Barbara and although they camped many places, Stonyfork became their favorite, where they were quick to make friends in the campground and to strike up a good card game or Dominoes with friends.

In 2021, Jim and Barbara moved to be closer to their daughter in Williamsburg, Virginia, and although they enjoyed getting to see more family, their thoughts were never far from the mountains and their back porch in the Double-Gates neighborhood, where they lived a full and happy life among many great neighbors. 

In his 40s, Jim accepted Christ as his savior and his faith became an important part of his daily life. He enjoyed reading his Bible and watching preaching on TV and was a member of Mid-Way Christian Church before leaving Bluefield. Jim would listen to old hymns, singing and mouthing some of the words along with the artists, even in his final days of his short illness. 

A memorial service will be held at Cravens-Shires in Bluefield WV on Saturday, January 4. Visitation will take place at 1:00 p.m., followed by a service at 2:00 p.m. 

Cravens-Shires Funeral Home is serving the Francis family.