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Joyce Veronica Crump Francois
The sassy, loving, funny, caring, feisty, and fiercely independent spirit we’ve all come to know and love, Joyce Veronica Crump Francois, departed her earthly home and entered into eternal rest on the evening of January 4, 2023, at the age of 89.
Joyce Veronica was born in New Orleans on March 11, 1933, to the late Ernest Crump and Alma Andrews Crump.
On February 21, 1953, Joyce and Clarence “Buddy” Francois were joined in the union of holy matrimony by the late Rev. Lee of Greater Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church. She would love Buddy fiercely until his passing on December 13, 1987. From their union came Clarence Anthony, Gail, Carol, Elaine, Linda, and Benjamin. Joyce took a six-year break and bored three more: Valerie, Cyril, and Daniel.
Joyce was a baker at St. Peter and Paul Catholic School until her retirement. Upon her retirement, Joyce shifted her focus to being an active and present grandmother in the lives of her grandchildren. “Maw maw” or as the post-Clarence era grandkids would call her, “Graunchy Grandma,” was present at school functions and made sure food was on the table after school for her grandkids to partake in and enjoy for she was also a great cook.
Joyce was an avid reader and amassed a library of over 200 novels. She loved to take the bus to the library and thrift stores to help grow her collection. The bus ride would often lead her to the Casino where she had her tricks for determining a winning machine. Joyce was a “people person” and her door was always open for family and friends alike. She was genuine and kind to all. She would give you the shirt off her back. However, no one was safe from her sharp tongue and honest opinion. She treated everyone she encountered as family so the existence of a stranger was a foreign concept to her. Her laugh was infectious and her ability to make people laugh resulted in people gravitating even closely to her which kept the home in the historic neighborhood Pontchartrain Park at 5610 Pauline Dr. filled with friends and family alike until the loss of the home due to Hurricane Katrina.
Joyce gave her life to Christ and would be a long-serving member of Great Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church where she was a member of the Usher Board. She was also a founding member of Triumph Kingdom Builders Missionary Baptist Church where she fellowshipped until her passing.
Joyce leaves to cherish her beloved memory her sons Benjamin, Cyril (Coletha), and Daniel Francois, her daughters Gail (Carlton) Birden, Carol Francois, Linda Johnson, and Valerie (Byron) Bolden. Also left to cherish her memory are her grandchildren Ryan, Kevin, Kristy, Danielle, Shellie, Ernest, Rolanda, Wesley, Benjamin Aaron, Benjamin Jr., Brianna, Byron, Ibrielle, Cierra, Theo, Cyril, Danisha, Trey, Daniel, Deon, Malaysia, Ashton, and Addison, 36 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson. She is also survived by her daughters-in-law Isabelle Francois and Danica Mason, sisters Viola (Larry) Williams and Shirley Crump, brothers-in-law James and Whitney Francois, and sisters-in-law Geraldine Francois Renfurm and Myrthe Francois McClain. Joyce also leaves behind a host of many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, God-children, extended family and friends to cherish her beloved memory.
Joyce is proceeded in death by her parents, Ernest and Alma Crump, her son Clarence Anthony Francois, her daughter Elaine Francois, granddaughter Veronica Burton Parker, great-grandson TaColby Burton, son-in-law Kevin Johnson Sr., father-in-law Clarence Francois, mother-in-law Alzona Francois, brothers Ernest Jr., Raymond, Frank, Earl, Bobby, and Leo Crump, sisters Mary Coakley, Gustavia Mitchell and Gloria Parker, brothers-in-law Bernard, David, and Manuel Francois, and sisters-in-law Velva Francois Williams and Manuella Francois Hill.
There are not enough words to describe the impact Joyce Veronica has left on earth. To say she will be missed is an understatement. The light and love she has brought to the existence of those who loved her will never go unappreciated for where there is light, there is always love. There was no light brighter than Joyce Veronica Crump Francois’ light. We all were privileged to bask in her light and be embraced by her love.
Family and friends of the Francois family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral service for Mom/Maw Maw Joyce Crump Francois on January 14, 2023 at 10am with visitation starting at 8am. Services will be held at Triumph Kingdom Builders Missionary Baptist Church at 2325 Rev. Richard Wilson Dr. Kenner, LA. 70062 with Pastor Leroy Sanders Sr. officiating. Final Arrangements Entrusted to The Patrick H. Sanders Funeral Home 605 Main St. LaPlace, LA 70068. For information 985-359-1919. “Providing Care & Comfort is Our Highest Mission”. Please join the Francois Family in laying to rest their loved one at Providence Park Cemetery in Metairie LA.
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