Mitchell ‘Mechele’ Francis Sr.

St. Martinville – A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 3, 2016, at Notre Dame Catholic Church for Mitchell “Mechele” Francis Sr., 96, who passed away on Monday, November 28, 2016, in St. Martinville.
Visiting hours were observed at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday and continued on Saturday at 7 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. A rosary wase prayed at 7 p.m. on Friday.
Rev. Michael Sucharski officiated at the Funeral Mass. Interment followed at St. Michael Cemetery in St. Martinville.
Mr. Francis honorably served his country in the United States Army and was a member of the American Legion Post 0419. He retired from the St. Martin Parish Police Jury, where he worked as a dozer operator. He enjoyed working in his garden, while growing okra and sugar cane, feeding his pigs, and building and demolishing houses. For most of his life he was known to be an entrepreneur and was also a man of many talents. Mitchell will be remembered for providing housing to those people in need of a place to stay.
He is survived by his sons, Frank Francis and wife Annette, Johnny Francis, Clay Francis and wife Sharlene, all of St. Martinville, Mitchell Francis Jr. and wife Gwendolyn of Parks, and William Francis and wife JoAnn of Louisville Ken.; daughters, Mary “Fee” Williams and husband Don of Port Arthur, Texas, Anna “ToeToe” Durand and husband Joe, and Joan “Kissie” Hurst, both of St. Martinville; brother-in-law, Rubin Paul Guillory of St. Martinville; sister, Gertie Mae Landry of St. Martinville; 40 grandchildren; 80 great-grandchildren; and six great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by wife of 70 years, Viola George Francis; his parents, Frank and Alexandrine Turpeau Francis; sisters, Viola Dauphine, Bernice Glover, Marguerite Daigre, Esther Rena James and Mary Ella Guillory; brothers, Adam, Benjamin and Joseph Francis; grandchild, Donovan Aubry; great-grandchild, Angel D. Williams; and his son-in-law, Robert Hurst.
Pallbearers were Frank Francis Jr., Hunter Wiltz, Ernest Glover III, Cedric George, Brian Francis and Irvin Butler.
Pellerin Funeral Home of St. Martinville was in charge of arrangements.
To view on-line obituary, sign guestbook and view video tribute, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com.