October 20, 2025, 86, Goldsboro —
Elizabeth Crisp (“Lib”) Francisco passed away peacefully on October 20, 2025. She was born on August 15, 1939, in Goldsboro, North Carolina, to the late Melvin DeWitt “Dee” Crisp and Nina Long Crisp. She was married to the love of her life, Cecil King Francisco, for 55 years, and together they raised one son, Joe.
Lib attended Holmes College of the Bible, Pembroke State College, and the University of Virginia. She devoted her life to education, serving in the Halifax County Public School System in Halifax, Virginia, as a teacher, supervisor, and later as Principal of Clays Mill Elementary School, where she faithfully served until her retirement in 1992.
Following retirement, Lib and Cecil returned to her hometown of Goldsboro, NC, but her passion for education never faded. She continued to teach at Meadow Lane Elementary and later assisted students through testing and diagnostic services, touching many more lives through her dedication and care.
Lib was a woman of deep faith. She was a longtime member of Ingram Memorial Pentecostal Holiness Church in South Boston, Virginia, and later of The First Pentecostal Holiness Church in Goldsboro, where she and Cecil faithfully attended and served. She joyfully participated in the choir, Sunday School, and various church ministries. Lib was also an active member of the Gideons International Auxiliary, serving with the Goldsboro North Camp, sharing her faith through both word and deed.
Lib loved the beauty of God’s creation and found deep joy in the natural world. As a devoted member of the Goldsboro Garden Club, she spent countless hours nurturing her surroundings, leaving beauty and grace wherever she went. One of her greatest passions, however, was cooking and hospitality. She delighted in preparing her favorite dishes—or experimenting with new recipes she thought others might enjoy—and sharing them generously with friends and family.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Cecil Francisco; her parents, Dee and Nina Crisp; her brothers, W.D. Crisp, Kenneth Crisp, and David Crisp; and her sister, Shirlean Crisp.
Left to cherish her memory are her son, Joe Francisco (Becky) of Clayton, NC; two granddaughters, Brooke Cason (Tyler) of Smithfield, NC, and Brianna Francisco of Smithfield, NC; her sister, Mary Hood (Rex) of Goldsboro, NC; and several loving nieces, nephews and many wonderful friends.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 23, 2025 from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. at The First Church, 1100 The First Church Road, Goldsboro. A service celebrating Lib’s life will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. Interment will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 in the Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International, Goldsboro North Camp, P.O. Box 10093, Goldsboro, NC 27532.
