Widow of BMA Pastor Dies

Sandra Kaye Francis, 71 of Greenwood, passed away Jan. 31. She was the widow of BMA Pastor Stephen Gil “Steve” Francis. During his ministry, he pastored Harrison Chapel in Beebe, Park Avenue in Searcy, Letona in Letona, Grace in Wynne and Tenth Street in Paragould. He also pastored churches in Missouri and Mississippi. She was the daughter of the late Kenneth Brown, a BMA pastor and long-time professor and one of the first students at Central Baptist College.

Survivors include: two sons, Matthew (Miranda) Francis of Sallisaw, Okla.; Mark (Catherine) Francis of Jackson, Miss.; a sister, Judy (Thom) South of Conway; her mother, Marie Brown of Conway; 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

A service was held Feb. 8 at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Plumerville with Dr. Thom South officiating. Interment followed at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Plumerville under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home of Stigler, Okla. (mallorymartinfuneralhome.com).