Jamile James Francis

Jamile James Francis, 94, of 200 Trails End, widower of Sophie Catherine Syracuse Francis, died Thursday, July 31, 2008 at St. Francis, Downtown. Born in Greenville, he was the son of the late S.B. and Nellie Green Francis. Mr. Francis worked as a buyer in his father's produce business and later started a Package Store Business, with his father and family, which he continued to manage until it was sold in 1990. Afterwards he managed Francis Realty Company. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church where he was a member of the Finance and Building Committee. He was the Building Fund chairman for the expansion to double the size of St. Mary's Catholic Church 1955, Building Fund chairman to construct and outfit St. Mary's Catholic Middle School 1962, Building Fund chairman to construct St. Mary's School Convent presently church office building 1968, and Building Fund chairman to construct Msgr. Charles J. Baum Recreational Center on the St. Mary's Campus 1998. In 1999, St. Mary's Church and School honored Mr. Francis with the dedication of the 33, 000 square foot "Jamile J. Francis Athletic Field" in the heart of the campus. He was chairman emeritus of the church's building committee. He was a recipient of the Papal Knight Award from Knights of St. Gregory, the highest lay award given by the Catholic Church. He was a long-time member of the Greenville County Club and the Sertoma Club. Mr. Francis was very involved with Bon Secours St. Francis Health System where he helped it have a more significant role in the healthcare of Greenville. He was involved in the Capital Campaign for the first phase of the current downtown hospital. He was also Chairman of the first building committee for the Grove Road location of the Greenville Chapter of the American Red Cross. Surviving are a son, Jamile J. Francis, Jr. and his wife, Cathren, of Greenville; a sister, Louise F. Howard of Greenville; two grandchildren, Jamile J. Francis, III and his wife, Amy, of Greenville, Cathren Marie Lindsey and her husband, David, of Jasper, GA; three great grandchildren, Margret Connor Francis, Jamile J. Francis, IV and Carter David Lindsey; and a special friend, Charlie McKinney of Greenville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Francis Foundation, 1 St. Francis Drive, Greenville, SC 29601 or to the charity of one's choice. A vigil service will be held Sunday, August 3, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Visitation will follow in Gallivan Hall. The funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, August 4, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow in Springwood Cemetery.