Nettie Kay Francis

Nettie Kay (Watson) Francis, “Kay” (1939-2020)

Kay Francis, 81, passed away on Monday, December 14, 2020. Kay was born in the Aleppo Township of Pennsylvania on August 29, 1939. She was the daughter of the late Jacob Ford Watson and Hazel Jean Watson. As the story goes, she was born in a log cabin in the rural town. The delivering doctor did not have a scale present and estimated her birth weight by bobbing Baby Kay up and down on his arm. Kay and her family moved to Maryland when she was young. Jobs were scarce and her father obtained a position working on the docks in Baltimore. In time her dad built a home in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Kay graduated from Glen Burnie High School. She attended the University of Maryland, earned a Bachelor’s in Education, and a few decades later earned a Master’s Equivalency in Education from the same school. Kay married Beryl Louis Francis of Nebraska in August, 1959 and taught school until her twins were born. Kay resumed as an Elementary School Teacher when her 4 children were older and following her divorce.

Kay was full of energy, laughter, and life. Kay was known for her wit and resourcefulness. She enjoyed visiting her friends, going out to eat, to shop, to dance. She taught school for many years, was an excellent educator, and advocated for her students. As time moved along Kay’s favorite past time was visiting with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Kay liked country music and she was definitely a cat person. She was a very invested mother, promoted education (including constant reminders regarding the use of proper English), and helped provide her children with every opportunity.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved sister, Rose (Watson) Morris. Those left to cherish Kay’s memory include her brothers, Noel Watson (Crownsville, MD) and Teddy Thorwarth (Glen Burnie, MD); her sister, Linda Wilkes (Gladstone, VA); her firstborn (“the twins”), Jonathan Beryl Francis (Felton, DE) and Karen Kay (Francis) Sharp (Hanover, MD); her daughter, Kelly Jean Francis (Mt Holly, NC), and her son Joel Ford Francis (Stevensville, MD). Also missing her are her seven highly favored grandchildren, (Sean Sharp, James Jones, Kylie Francis, Alleyne Cromwell, Francisca Cromwell, Emma Francis and Jacob Francis); her two precious great-grandchildren, (Zoey and Jean Sharp); as well as several nieces, nephews, daughters-in-law and cousins.  Kay will be greatly missed by long time close friends Alex Usog, Shirley Kelly and others.

Kay always loved Christmas and will be celebrating it this year in Heaven with her parents, her sister, many other loved ones.

As it is the conclusion of 2020, Kay will have two very small services in her home on December 26, 2020. Her children, grandchildren, and siblings will attend. Officiating is Rev. Edwin Lacy of Harundale Presbyterian Church. A Memorial Service is being planned for September 4th at 3 pm, Harundale Presbyterian Church in Glen Burnie, Maryland contingent on the facility being open. ALL friends and family will be invited to celebrate Kay’s life, fellowship and refreshments will follow.