Heaven opened its’ pearly gates today and welcomed another Angel, our Mom, Mildred Barnes Francisco Pryor. Mom passed away on November 1, 2015. She was born Mildred Louise Barnes on October 11, 1929, to Annie Marie Dissler Barnes and Willie Barnes of Emporia, VA. She is predeceased by our father, Harold Durwood Francisco and our Step Father, Hunter Jackson Pryor. She is survived by one brother, Willie W “Bee” Barnes, Farmville, VA. Mildred and Harold had four surviving children, Kenneth Francisco Debbie Midlothian, VA, Janice Francisco-Reulbach, Powhatan, VA, Keevin Francisco Amy, Keysville, VA, and Vernon Francisco of Kill Devil Hills, NC. Mom had seven grandchildren, Amy Francisco, Ashley Fee Dustin, and Katie Francisco, all of Richmond, VA, Lauren Francisco Carwile Seth of Keysville, VA, Landon Francisco, Farmville, VA, Travis Francisco Missy, Keysville, VA, and Tiffany Berkley Jon Randolph, VA.
She had six great-grandchildren, Brenden and Bryson Francisco, Keysville, VA, Gavin Valania, Randolph, VA, Brady Smith, Landon and Brooks Fee, all of Midlothian, VA. Five nephews, Charles Barnes Wanda, Ft Mitchell, VA, Ronnie Barnes Linda, Charlotte Court House, VA, Wayne Melton, Mary Lee, Powhatan, VA, Donald Campbell Carol, Keysville, VA, and Jimmy Francisco, Virginia Beach, VA; and one niece, Karen Burch Lewis, Saluda, VA, as well as many other great-nephews and nieces.
Mom worked as a homemaker, in addition to retiring from BB&T Bank in Farmville, Va. She was one the hardest working women we knew and she made sure her children embraced that philosophy and knew the meaning of hard work. We lived on a self-sufficient farm, raised tobacco, hay, cattle, vegetable gardened, and worked our land. Our parents taught us the value of hard work, even though at times we didn’t understand why we had to work so hard. She loved gardening, her flowers, decorating, entertaining, Bluegrass music, and loved Christmas. Christmas was her favorite holiday as her house was always decorated beautifully for the holiday festivities. She always enjoyed having the family at the house and cooking a great meal and of course, opening presents. She will always be remembered for her “Sweet Tea” in a pickle jar, her infamous coconut cake and her Werther’s candies for the grandchildren, especially for Landon. Mom would often talk about Landon sneaking next door asking if he could have some Werther’s candy and “sweet tea” and she loved to see him come over and visit. He would get his drink and candy and then run back across the field home.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2015, 1:00 pm at Union Grove Baptist Church where she was a long-time member with interment in the church cemetery.
Visitation for friends are welcome in our home at 356 Union Grove Road, Keysville, VA from 3:00 until 8:00 pm on Wednesday, November 4, 2015.
RIP MOM, we love you and will miss you dearly. Your work on earth is done. The Browning-Duffer Funeral Home in Keysville, VA, is in charge of arrangements.