Obituary: Robbie Virginia Francis

Robbie Virginia Francis, long-time Clovis resident and beloved mom, grandma ("Mema"), great grandma, and treasured friend of many, died at the age of 107 on May 10, 2024, in Tucson, Arizona. The only child of Robbie and Lawrence Hickman, Robbie was born on May 2, 1917, in a small farmhouse on land just north of Clovis which her family had homesteaded in 1909. Robbie spent most of her life on that wheat farm.

Robbie married Ancel Francis in 1938, and they had two daughters, Beverly, and Mary. A couple years after Ancel's death in 1992, Robbie moved from the farm into Clovis and lived alone in her own home until 2017, when she relocated to Tucson to live with daughter Mary and Mary's husband.

Robbie was a strong, hard-working woman who persevered through life's ups and downs. Her love of family, great wisdom, common sense, and wit marked her life. Throughout the years, Robbie blessed her family and friends with her loving spirit, servant's heart, and creativity. She beautifully and generously used her God-given

artistic gifts in many ways, including oil painting, quilting, needlepoint, ceramics, and knitting. Although Robbie experienced physical limitations in her last couple years, to the very end she retained her enduring spirit, sharp and inquisitive mind, and amazing memory, as displayed in her vivid, detailed storytelling of yesteryear.

Robbie's firm foundation was her steadfast faith. Every night at bedtime in her later years, Robbie joined in the Lord's prayer and the 23rd Psalm. While she walked through the valley of the shadow of death, she trusted in her Good Shepherd and is now with her Lord and Savior Jesus. The family rejoices at that yet deeply grieves the loss of this sweet, saintly woman who graciously touched so many lives.

Robbie was predeceased by her husband, Ancel, and daughter Beverly Halter.

She is survived by daughter Mary Pelander, sons-in-law John Pelander and Richard Halter, grandchildren Rick Halter (Erin), Laura Chaput, Andrew Pelander (Rachel), and Aaron Pelander (Nicole), and ten great grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held in Clovis at Lawn Haven Memorial Cemetery on Friday, July 12, at 10 am. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, memorial donations may be made to the New Mexico Boys and Girls Ranches ("The Ranches") at Belen, New Mexico.