Nassau, Bahamas -
Bradley B. Roberts
National Chairman
Progressive Liberal
Party on the passing of Dr.
Earle M.W. Francis:
After forty-nine years as a faithful soldier in the army
of the Lord and servant leader to his family of churches, the community and to
his country in proclaiming the word of God, a giant in the religious and
Christian community has passed and with him an era. In a bitter-sweet moment,
the Progressive Liberal Party celebrates the life and work of Dr. Earle M.W.
Francis while mourning his departure from this life after ninety-two fruitful
years.
Commissioned to lead the then Salem Grove Mission located
on the corner of Market Street and Coconut Grove Avenue in 1964, the fifty
years to follow saw a name change to First Baptist Church and an impressive
expansion to the First Baptist family of churches under his pastoral
leadership. These mission churches include the South Beach Union Baptist
Church, Harold Road Baptist Church, Rivers of Life Baptist Church, Mt Theo’s
Baptist Church and Cedars of Lebanon Baptist Church.
Demonstrating his commitment to education, Dr. Francis
was instrumental in securing scholarships for some 100 Bahamian students to
attend Selma University in Alabama.
A businessman and pioneer in the Hotel Industry in over
the hill with the construction of the Grants Town Hotel which was located McPherson
Street.
Married for sixty-six years to Marjorie Eloise Francis
(nee Taylor), this union was blessed with thirteen children and stands as a
model for family life in The Bahamas. The couple advised that the secrets to a
good marriage are communication, sharing and much love.
Like many Bahamians, I am grateful for the
time God has loan Dr. Francis to us. The examples he has left us in terms of
his love for and loyalty to God, family, community and country have left an
indelible impression on the social landscape of The Bahamas.
On behalf of the Progressive Liberal Party, I
express my heartfelt condolences to his lovely wife of sixty-six years,
Marjorie Eloise Taylor-Francis, affectionately known as “sweet potato;” his
eleven surviving children including his daughter, the Rev. Diana Francis and
sons, Percy “Vola” Francis, a cultural icon in his own right and Dr. Emmanuel
Francis other family and Church members.
May his soul and the souls of the dearly
departed rest in peace
