Francis Sr., David William

David William Francis Sr., 89, formerly of Pearisburg , Va., passed away Thursday, July 31, 2008, at Lewis Gale Hospital, in Roanoke, Va.

Mr. Francis was born on December 21, 1918, in Swansonville, Va., and was the son of the late James Madison and Worta Thomas Francis. In addition to his parents, Mr. Francis was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Maxine Cumbee Francis; three sisters, Mrs. T.P. (Annie) Smith, of Danville, Va., Mrs. Edward (Julia) Grant, of District Heights, Md., and Mrs. Belle Steele, of Boca Raton, Fla.; and a brother, Joseph Francis, of Swansonsville, Va.

Mr. Francis served in the United States Army, Air Force and was a veteran of World War II. He was a long time associate with Givens Funeral Home, a retired salesman, and a member of the First United Methodist Church, in Pearisburg, where he attended the Pop Finley Class.

He is survived by a son, David Francis Jr., and wife, Debbie, of Blacksburg, Va.; one sister, Mrs. Wesley (Lucy) Scarce, of Danville, Va.; and a grandchild, Teresa Francis, and husband, Ron Maybaum, of Blacksburg, Va.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, August 2, 2008, at the First United Methodist Church, in Pearisburg, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Brad Scott and Dr. Fred L. Austin officiating with burial following in the Birchlawn Burial Park, in Pearisburg.

The family will receive friends at the Givens Funeral Home, in Pearisburg, Friday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, in Pearisburg, or to the Blacksburg Methodist Church.

The family would like to thank the employees at Wheatland Assisted Living and the ICU nurses and staff at Lewis Gale Hospital for their assistance and kindness. Online condolences can be sent to www.givensfuneralhome.com.