May 29, 2023, 71, Mount Olive –

The Rev. David Henry Francis, at the age of 71, passed from our midst to behold the presence of his Lord. His passing came Monday afternoon, May 29, 2023, at Wayne UNC Hospital.

Davey, as he was called by his family, graduated from Mount Olive College, Atlantic Christian College, and Duke University, ultimately obtaining a Master’s Degree in Divinity. He was a minister with the Methodist church, had pastored several congregations, and was serving as pastor of Smith Chapel Global Methodist Church at the time of his passing. He was raised in the First United Methodist Church of Mount Olive and was the son of the late James G. and Nellie Thompson Francis. During his young life, he was employed in the grocery stores operated by his father and grandfather, Thompson & Francis IGA Food Stores in Mount Olive. He had been employed as a clerk in the local pawn shop and was involved with the Peanut Crew at First United Methodist Church.

Davey is survived by his three sisters, Susie F. Doggett and husband, Larry, of Rock Hill, SC, and Lib F. Swinson and Patricia F. Curtis, both of Mount Olive, along with their families.

The family will receive friends at David’s residence (607 Smith Chapel Road, Mount Olive, NC) Friday, June 2, from 6 until 8 p.m.., and also on Saturday, June 3, beginning at 10 a.m. at Smith Chapel Global Methodist Church (2212 NC Highway 55 West, Mount Olive), followed by funeral services at 11 a.m. in the Smith Chapel sanctuary. Officiating will be Dr. H. Dennis Draper, Jr., the Rev. Mark Kennedy, and the Rev. Val Chadwick. Burial will follow in Wayne Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorial gifts be made to Smith Chapel Church, c/o Glenn Micks, 2836 Grantham School Road, Mount Olive, NC 28365. Plans are for the service to be live-streamed on the church’s Facebook page smithchapelmtolive.com