Malcolm Joseph Francois, Sr

Malcolm Joseph Francois, the son of the late Lorena and Clarence Francois, was born June 9, 1933 in Mansura, Louisiana, the seventh of ten children. He was educated in the Catholic Schools in Mansura and later received his G.E.D. in Baltimore, Maryland. Mack was a certified automobile mechanic, having received his training at the Lincoln School of Technology and at the Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical School. He was employed at McMillan and Blondell, beginning as a warehouseman and retiring in 1992 as a supervisor. When visiting Mack’s home, “his estate”, you would be surrounded by all the pleasantries he had constructed–a bathroom, closets, additions to his home, exterior and interior. He was quite the builder! Always a gentleman, Mack greeted everyone who came to visit–even the people who were in and out of his home while he was ill. You just didn’t interfere with his Westerns or sports. Mack was a fan of C.N.N. News where he likened himself to Peter Jennings, Edward R. Murrow and Lester Holt, sharing his knowledge of current events with all who would listen. Mack and Jerrelle lived a charmed life that involved interesting people and places. Mack remarked that when people think they have seen everything, they have seen nothing if they haven’t been to Hawaii. Cruises to the Mediterranean, the Greek Isles and the Caribbean peaked his fancy and were privy to his imagination and his delight. Mack was married to Jerrelle Foster, May 9, 1970 at Zion Baptist Church and later at a Catholic ceremony at St. Francis. Mack had been a member at St. Francis since 1965 where he participated in New Horizon of Men and Women, the Ushers’ Ministry and the Security Ministry. He was awarded citations from C.U.R.E. Community Service–Eastern Police District and the President’s Citation–the City Council of Baltimore. Early Thursday morning, October 17, 2013 Mack, an apprentice, having paid his union dues, met God, the Master Builder, in the union hall in Heaven. Mack is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Jerrelle; his son, Malcolm, Jr.; his daughter, Veronica Jones; his grandchildren, Tavon, Shawn, Kelvin and Christopher; his great grandchildren, Laila and Matthew; his sisters, Effie Womack, Nellie Thompson, Ruffie Coco and Doris Prevost; his brothers, Spellman Francois, Farrell Francois; his sisters-in-law, Selena Foster Redd and Marian Foster; his brother-in-law, Preston Foster, Sr.; son-in-law, Donald Jones; his Godchildren, Paula Sparks, Dominique Edmonds, Whitney James and Kevin Pulley, Jr.; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and “Just Cousins.” Realizing that the end of life on earth is the beginning of life with God. What a beautiful beginning!

Tributes

Malcolm Joseph Francois, Sr

June 19, 1933 - October 17, 2013