Naomi Ilene (Arrowood) Francis

Naomi Ilene (Arrowood) Francis, 90, left to be with the Lord her savior Saturday, January 14th, 2023. She was in Heartland Regional Medical. She was a resident at Hillview Healthcare Center in Vienna.

She was born November 19, 1932, to Tyrus Gordon and Lula Muriel Arrowood in Olive Hill, Kentucky. She married Robert Lynne Francis on October 9, 1952, in Pocahontas, Arkansas.

Naomi spent her life devoted to God and her family. She was a strong country girl. No matter how difficult the challenge, she fought to do all she could for her family. Even at a young age she had a lot of responsibilities. She ended up raising three generations. She left school at 15 to help care for her 4 brothers and the family farm. While visiting family she met and married Robert Lynne Francis from Goreville. Their union produced 4 children. They moved all over, from Arizona to Alaska and Okinawa to California, Naomi managed the family during Robert’s time in the military, finally settling back in Goreville. Her children provided her with a dozen grandchildren whom she had an active role in raising 10 of them, providing caregiving for the majority of their childhoods.  Through it all she stayed strong, with her love for her family and her faith in God.

Naomi is preceded in death by her parents, Tyrus Gordon and Lula Muriel Arrowood; brothers, Danny Arrowood and Larry Arrowood; daughters, Sandra Lynn Smith and Donna Lea Farris and son, Kenneth Michael Francis.

Naomi is survived by her son, Bobby Francis; brothers, Gary (Jolleen) Arrowood, Bennie (Melva) Arrowood, Gerald Arrowood, Tyrus Arrowood, Byrus Arrowood; grandchildren, Aaron (Jennie) Farris, Ryan Francis, Corrie Farris, Leah Naomi Smith (Mike) Villa, Jennifer (Greg) Pulley, Amanda (Andrew) Babington, Adam (Nelda) Francis, Matthew Farris, Chad (Brianna) Francis, Benjamin (Lana) Smith, Melissa (Rebecca) McVicar, Selin Francis; 14 great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Stuart Farris; and daughter-in-law,  Sedef Francis.

Funeral services will held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, January 22, 2023, at Riggin-Pillatsch and Burke in Carterville, with Pastor Brian Murley officiating. Interment will be in Busby Cemetery in Goreville. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Sunday, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Goreville Pentecostal Church, 915 N. Broadway St., Goreville, IL 62939 or to John A. Logan Nursing Department, Donna Farris Memorial Nursing Scholarship, 700 Logan College Drive, Carterville, IL 62918.

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