Juella Francis

Juella Arlene Hampton Francis, 89, Johnson City, Tennessee went to be with the Lord on April 19, 2025 at her home. She was a Watauga Co., Boone, North Carolina native, and daughter of the late Darius S. Hampton and Lena Carroll Hampton of Boone.

Juella accepted the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God on May 11, 1958 at Annie Wilder Stratton School. The church was meeting there in the gym while the new sanctuary at Unaka Avenue Baptist Church was being built. She was the second person baptized in the new sanctuary at Unaka Avenue Baptist Church by Rev. Howard T. Rich on September 21, 1958.

Juella graduated from Steed Business College and attended East Tennessee State University. She was employed at Memorial Hospital and Citi Group the former SPS in Gray as an account Resolution Specialist, where she retired in 2001.

Mrs. Francis has been a lifelong member at Unaka Avenue Baptist Church. During this time she served on many various committees including: an interpreter for the hearing impaired, sang in the choir, and visited the sick. She witnessed everywhere she went, not only with her voice but by her actions.

She was a true caretaker in every sense of the world, from her family, to her church, to her home and the people she came in contact with. Juella never met a stranger, and her smile lit up any room she was in. She was a selfless person who was always welcoming and inviting. She always went above and beyond in everything she did. Some of her favorite hobbies were cooking, outdoors, gardening, sewing, and mowing.

Juella is preceded in death by her husband of almost 61 years, David Francis, brothers, Denver and Wayne Hampton, and brother-in-law, J.B. Jones.

She is survived by her children, daughter, Delena Renee Francis, son, James David Francis (Kimberly) and grandchildren, Greenlee and Brynlee Francis; sister, Muriel Jean Jones; sisters-in-law, Joyce Hampton and Avis Hampton, as well as several loving nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at Unaka Avenue Baptist Church from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. A funeral service will immediately follow at 12:00 pm with Reverend Bill McDaniel and Reverend Mike Tyson officiating . A graveside service will be conducted at 2:00 pm in Mountain Home National Cemetery, all attended are asked to meet at the cemetery by 1:50 pm in the historic section.

n lieu of fresh cut flowers memorial contributions may be made to Unaka Avenue Baptist Church building fund or in the form of live plants that the family can plant as a reminder of her each year.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family via www.morrisbaker.com.

Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 E Oakland Ave, Johnson City, is serving the Francis family. (423) 282-1521