Robert Francis

Counselor, teacher, and friend, Pastor Robert Francis joined his heavenly Father on the 3rd of May 2011, leaving behind his wife of 30 years, Janice, son, David, and daughter, Bethany Elizabeth. He is survived by his mother, Sylvia Buford Francis of Texarkana, and brother Gerald Wayne Francis (wife Judy) of Ashdown. Preceded in death by his father, Calvin Coolidge, and infant sister, Georgia Ann. Robert truly was a man after God's heart. With an unrivaled passion for others, Robert spent his life ministering to, caring for, and loving on people. For Robert, there was no higher calling than sharing the love of his Father. Born the 14th of November 1957 in Texarkana, Robert would graduate from Arkansas High before attending Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches Texas where he met his wife Janice (Beckham). In May of 1980, after graduating with a teaching degree in English and History, Robert was called to the ministry and began his first full time job as the Music and Youth Director at Nacogdoches Missionary Baptist Church, where he would later accept the role of Associate Pastor. During that time, he attended the Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary in Henderson, where his dad had previously received a doctorate of Divinity. Robert spoke at numerous youth conferences, camps and retreats, and in 1990, was called to speak for a youth week at Faith Baptist Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas, where he was later called to be the Youth Director and Associate Pastor. While at Faith Baptist Church, he attended the University of Arkansas Little Rock, earned a Masters Degree in Social Work, and became a licensed social worker and a member of the National Association of Christian Counselors. In 1997, Pastor James F. Holmes retired, and for the next nine years, Robert would serve Faith Baptist Church as its Senior Pastor. In 2006, he resigned to focus his energy on full time counseling. He took a part time position at East Union Missionary Baptist Church where he served as Pastoral Counselor, a position that quickly became full time. In the late fall of 2010, Faith Baptist Church called him again to be their pastor. Robert would serve as Senior Pastor of Faith Baptist Church until his unexpected and premature passing early Tuesday morning. It must be said, that it is inspiring to see a man wandering down a road, unsure of his direction, but certain in his mission, touching the hearts of all those he happens upon. As those who know him well can attest, while Robert may have not always know the way, he knew the Lord, endeavored to follow the path laid out by Father, and never stopped traveling. It can only be said of a rare man, that life is better in having known him. Robert was one of these few. He touched the lives of everyone he encountered, and in his time, literally affected thousands of individuals for the better. Perhaps Winnie-the-Pooh said it best when he said, "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." We all who knew Robert, are lucky. Memorials may be made to the Brother Robert Francis Memorial Fund in care of the Bank of The Ozarks. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday in the Family Fellowship Center at Faith Baptist Church in North Little Rock, to be followed by a Mexican Buffett at 11 a.m. A memorial service will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at Faith Baptist Church. Arrangements by North Little Rock Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 1921 Main, 758-1170. Online obituary and guest registry at www.nlrfh.com.