Joe Riley (J.R.) Francis

Joe Riley (J.R.) Francis, of Morrilton, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Aug. 2, 2014. He was born April 7, 1926 in Piney, Ark., to Jody J. Francis and Lucy Freeman Francis. He retired from Levi Strauss after 42 years of working and managing in the garment industry. He was a member of the Morrilton Lion's Club where he received the Melvin Jones Fellow award in 2001, Morrilton Chamber of Commerce, United Way and First Baptist Church of Morrilton. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Pauline Rawson Francis; daughters, Valeria Albaugh (Tom) of Hot Springs, Ark., Carol Pinter (Gerry) of Morrilton, Ark., and Elisa Hoelzeman (Larry) of Madison, Ala.; grandchildren, Jennifer David (Shane), Melissa Pinter, Jeff Pinter (JoAnn), and Alana Hoelzeman; as well as four great-grandchildren, Kelsey and Ethan David, Jude and Sophia Pinter. Survivors also include one sister, Flora Leoffler of Hot Springs, Ark. Preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Leo Francis, Dale Francis, Guy Francis, Cecil Francis; and one sister, Myrtle Hamm. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Morrilton Building Fund. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014, at First Baptist Church Morrilton with Dr. Bill Brown officiating. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery by Harris Funeral Home of Morrilton. The family will receive friends for an hour prior to service time at the church. Online guestbook: www.harrisfuneralhomes.net.