Shade H. Francis Jr.

Shade Hershell Francis Jr. was born on August 13, 1949, to the late Savanna Louisiana Summers and Shade Hershell Francis Sr. and departed this life on June 16, 2025, due to a short illness. Shade attended Baltimore City Public Schools and graduated from Edmondson Senior High School in 1967. Growing up, Shade was his mother's pride and joy. Shade always kept her entertained with his witty and clever jokes, never to mention the mischief he would sometimes get into. As a youth and young a dult,Shade had a love for martial arts, which he mastered, and later became a Sensei of Aikido at a local Dojo. After graduating from high school, Shade enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Defending our country became his honorable duty. Shade traveled to many different countries and made many lifelong friends while serving in the military. The Vietnam War was where Shade's active-duty Marine Corps career came to an end, due to being wounded in the line ofduty, thus ranking out as a Corporal. After Shade recovered, he returned home. Shade would often refer to the Marine Corps as his father, who helped finish raising him. In the early 1970s, Shade met the beautiful Shiela C. Johnson, and on April 18, 1976, they welcomed their baby girl, Christina Nicol Francis, into the world. Christina easily became the apple of Shade's eye. Shade had various jobs, but in 1977, he landed a job with the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier and was there for quite a while. Shade then obtained his CDLs and began working for the Baltimore City Department of Sanitation, driving the trash trucks, where he would often find what he would call forgotten treasures. Through his hard work, he was then promoted to driving landfill trucks to and from landfills. In June of 1999, while at the laundry mat, a lovely lady named Kim caught Shade's eye, and by Shade being the socially charming, funny guy that he was, he struck up a conversation with her, and from that a beautiful relationship began. Later, Shade and Kim were married on June 29, 2001, and became Mr. and Mrs. Shade Hershell Francis Jr. From that union, Shade gained two wonderful sons, Clyde E. Boatwright and Daniel E. Leslie. Shade continued to work in sanitation. Shade was looking forward to his retirement, and on September 1st, 2011, he officially retired and could not wait to start his extracurricular activities and well-thought-out shenanigans. Shade was a well-respected Son, Marine, Father, Husband, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Nephew, Uncle, Cousin, and Friend. He was known for his risky jokes and jaw-dropping punchlines. Shade has always been an animal lover, but had a real soft spot for his cats and would always refer to them as his children. Shade was a big bowl of wisdom and loved to share his theories, beliefs, and knowledge about any and everything that he learned and studied in an attempt to improve one's life. Such as the acronym K.I.S.S., which means Keep It Simple Stupid. As well as the famous question he had for everyone, which was, What's the difference between smarts and intelligence? The correct answer is that intelligence is what you're born with, and smarts is what you do with it. But of course, not many of us got it right, so then Shade's lectures would begin. Shade was a very animated storyteller, and as a Marine, Shade was able to bring his experiences during those times to life. Everyone who had the pleasure of being in the presence of The Shade Hershell Francis Jr. knew that he loved his family, his cats, and there would never be a dull moment when he was around. But most of all, Corporal Shade Hershell Francis Jr. is and always will be a dedicated United States Marine. Shade Hershell Francis Jr. leaves to mourn his loving wife; Kim S. Francis, three spoiled cat children; Opps, Fuzzy-Butt and Stripes, one extraordinary daughter; Christina N. Francis-Lane, one outstanding son in-law; James W. Lane Sr., one accomplished son; Clyde E. Boatwright (Donna), three top tier; granddaughter's, Brianna, Jimajha and Chaunna, three well rounded, grandson's Tyree, James Jr. and Kyle, four adorable great-grandchildren; Kinsley, Kason, Kru and Kai; five fun-loving sister-in-law's; Georgeanna, Hilarie, Tonia, Wyonie (Dave), Julia (James), two cool brother-in-law's; Larry, Tyrone (Linda), one nephew Tyrone Francis, one bonus son and best friend; Anthony Johnson and a host of veterans, family and friends. Honorable mention of those who preceded Shade in death. His loving mother, Savanna L. Summers. His father, Shade H. Francis Sr.; his brother, Tyrone S. Francis Sr.; one son, Daniel E. Leslie; three cat children, Dee-Dee, Paris, and Fat-Cat; and a host of aunts, uncles, other family members, and friends. Also, the many dedicated Marine Corps brothers and sisters who came before, during, and after Shade's service. We are the home of the FREE because of the BRAVE who stood before us.

Tributes

Shade H. Francis Jr.

August 13, 1949 - June 16, 2025