Jd and I met, when I was 17 yrs old-straight out of high school. He stood up for me, when no one else would. I remember the first holiday I spent with jd… thanksgiving right after my grandpa had died….he told Faye, that they had a new daughter!!! All his family welcomed me without a second thought. I will never forget jd!!
JD Francis
April 3, 1931 ~ April 10, 2026
Born in:
Lee County, Texas
Resided in:
Beaumont, Texas
JD Francis was the sixth of nine children born on Friday, April 3, 1931, to George Franklin Francis and Sarah Lavata (Mitchell) Francis. He married Dorothy Mae Christman on June 8, 1952. Together they had and raised one son, John Douglas and three daughters: Joni Lynette, Janis Kay and Jalanda Denise Francis.
After our kind and wonderful mother transitioned to glory, JD met and married Fayette Hazel Smith, on May 31, 1986. Upon this union, we welcomed our brother Jamie Smith to our family.
He was born in rural Lee County in the community of Sweet Home and that’s where he was raised. He graduated from Post Oak School after completing the 10th grade. That was as high as the classes went in those days. He would earn his GED in 1960. Later earning an Associate Degree from Southwest Texas State. JD moved to San Antonio, and lived with his sister Julia (C) for a couple of years. Looking to better himself, he enlisted in the US Air Force (1949) and proudly served his country for 20+ years before retiring as a Master Sergeant in February 1970.
JD entered active duty at Amarillo AFB, TX for basic training. From there he was assigned direct duty assignment to Kadena AB, Okinawa. His subsequent assignments were: Anderson AFB, Guam, Randolph AFB, TX, Kingsland, England, Ardmore AFB, OK, Lowry AFB, CO (3), Zaragosa AB, SP, Lackland AFB, TX, Vandenberg AFB, CA, Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam. Along the way he earned several awards, recognition and medals: Master Instructor Certificate; Instructor of the Year, Munitions Maintenance, Lowry AFB, CO; 16th Air Force Spanish Language Course; Munitions Officer Course; Missile Maintenance Management Course; Nuclear Weapons Inspection, Maintenance and Loading Certified; National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam; Good Conduct Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal.
JD began his service as a deacon on September 26, 1965. Certification of Ordination signed by the reverend Vern Haynes, Mount Olive Baptist Church, Santa Maria, CA. JD continued to serve in this capacity everywhere he was assigned. He was a longstanding member of 2nd Baptist Church, serving as a deacon. Later when he moved to Beaumont, Texas, his status changed to Deacon Emeritus.
JD is preceded in death by his parents, Professor George Franklin Francis, Sr., Sarah Mitchell Francis, brothers: Eldorado Francis, George Francis Jr., Clinton Francis, Sutton Francis, Marshall Francis and sister, Presiding Elder Julia Francis-Ferguson and his eldest daughter Joni Francis Olgesy. Lastly, his first love Dorothy (Christman) Francis.
He is survived by his supporting wife of 39+ years, Fayetta (Fay) Francis. Son John Francis (Silvia), San Antonio, TX. Two daughters: Jan (Francis) Buzzell (Byron), Eliot, ME., and Jalanda Francis, Austin, TX. His step-son Jamie Smith (Melanie), Beaumont, TX. Two sisters: Alonia Roberson, Austin, TX, and Alice Brydson, Beaumont, TX. Eleven grandchildren: Carmen Cronin (Jeremy), Eliot, ME., David Jones, Palm Bay, FL., John Francis II, Long Beach, CA., Melissa Fosberg, Jacquelle Francis, Berlin, GER., Michael Niemann, Eliot, ME., Isaac Hudson (Shannon), Palm Bay, FL., Aaron Hudson, Palm Bay, FL., Julian Smith, Beaumont, TX., Justin Smith, Beaumont, TX., Jordan Smith, Beaumont, TX. Eight great grandchildren: Jeremiah, Gabriel, Winter, Joshua Cronin, Micah Cronin, Nathan Cronin, Zoe Smith, Julian Smith Jr. Last but surely not least, Jennifer Ebert, Austin TX, who he loved as a daughter.
JD will be greatly missed by his family, close friends and all who knew him. We’ll miss his notorious briskets and steaks.
Services
Visitation: Friday, April 24, 2026 10:30 am - 11:30 am
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2026-04-24 10:30:00
2026-04-24 11:30:00
JDFrancisVisitation
Visitation
3310 E. Commerce,San Antonio, TX
Funeral Service: Friday, April 24, 2026 11:30 am
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2026-04-24 11:30:00
2026-04-24 11:30:00
JDFrancisFuneral Service
Funeral Service
3310 E. Commerce,San Antonio, TX
Cemetery: Friday, April 24, 2026 1:30 pm
Room: Shelter #3
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd.
San Antonio, TX
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2026-04-24 13:30:00
2026-04-24 13:30:00
JDFrancisCemetery
Cemetery
1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd.,San Antonio, TX
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