Randy Francis

MINER, Mo. — A Celebration of Life service for Randy Francis will be held Saturday, Feb. 12 at the Miner Convention Center.

Doors will open at 10:30 a.m., with the program beginning at 11 a.m.

Dennis Randal “Randy” Francis, 63, a resident of Miner Nursing Center, passed away Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.

Although he had been in poor health for many years, Randy’s sudden death hit his large family hard, coming only 13 days after the death of brother, Larry, and 30 years to the day after the death of father, Ralph Francis.

Randy was born May 1, 1958, in Sikeston, fifth son of Ralph and Murl Francis. He attended Sikeston Public Schools and was a 1976 graduate of Sikeston High School.

He learned to play guitar at a young age, and in an era when rock ‘n’ roll was in the mainstream, Randy preferred old country and gospel standards, especially the Chuck Wagon Gang, the Carter Family and the Browns. The sounds of “Wildwood Flower” could be heard regularly in the house, and Randy learned to play the Carter Family classic in the style of “Mother Maybelle” Carter. Also a talented vocalist with a rich baritone voice, he often performed at family reunions and for residents of the Miner Nursing Center, including the afternoon of his death.

Later in life, Randy served as president of the Chuck Wagon Gang Fan Club and in the same role for Jim Ed Brown’s fan club. In 1986, Randy was a contestant on the nationally-televised country music quiz show “Fandango.”

He worked in the hospitality industry, first as a hotel auditor and later as a cook. His hotel work took him to Nashville and to South Carolina before returning to Sikeston, where he cooked at establishments such as Fisherman’s Net, the Charleston Country Club, Lisa’s Place and Frankie’s Café. His signature dish was a mouthwatering carrot cake that was always a hit at the annual Francis Family Reunion.

Randy is survived by five brothers: Gregory (Carolyn) of Jefferson City, Missouri; Roger (Diane) Francis of Maryville, Missouri; Charles (Tammy) Francis of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Donald Francis of Sikeston; James (Lisa) Francis of Sikeston; and two sisters: Barbara (Bobby) Landers of Canalou, Missouri, and Linda Poyner of Montgomery City, Missouri. He is also survived by 18 nieces and nephews, 19 great-nieces/nephews and two great-great-nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by a brother, Larry Francis.