Linda Lee White-Francis

With great sorrow, we say goodbye to Linda Lee Francis. Linda was born on March 9, 1942, and unexpectedly died on Thursday, July 11, 2024, of a massive heart attack at Bayonet Point Hospital. She was always very active and healthy, and this came as a shock to all who knew her. Linda was married to her high school sweetheart James A. Francis for 57 years. We found that she logged in her calendar every month how long it had been since she lost our dad. She was born in Columbus, Ohio and moved to Florida at the end of 1973. She never stopped missing Ohio and her family up north.
Linda was 82 years old, but never looked her age. She always dressed hip and had her hair and make-up done perfectly. She was very humble and just a precious lady in every way. Linda was absolutely the best mother, daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend she could be. She loved walking down memory lane and talking about how raising her kids were the best years of her life. Her favorite thing was hanging out with her kids, who all made her laugh.
Linda was passionate about whatever she was into, and her home was filled with all the things she held dear. She kept an impeccably clean home and was always ready for guests. Mom also loved to decorate and knew the history of every item in her home. She loved going to thrift stores to find treasures from a time long past. She was a big animal lover and had many dogs, cats, chickens and button quail over the years. She would be so excited to hatch chicks and watch them grow into new family members she could play with every day. She just loved her chickens and carried them around like pets.
Linda graduated from North High School in Columbus, Ohio. Then she went to Columbus College of Art and Design right after high school. She was a published writer who wrote for many magazines, newspapers and she even wrote books. She was an artist, painter, and poet. She was very proud of her accomplishments and made sure we all got copies of her wonderful stories.
Linda was a wonderful mother and had 4 children: Michele Rehm with spouse Bruce, James A. Francis III with spouse Sabrina, Laura Torres with spouse Oscar, Matthew Francis with spouse Christine. Linda had 12 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Linda was everyone’s biggest cheerleader, and she was so proud of the job she did raising her kids. She loved telling strangers about how proud she was of her kids. All her children dearly loved her and are feeling this loss in a profound way.
Linda is also survived by her two sisters Jennifer White Cook from Sandusky, Ohio and Donna White Fath from Upper Arlington, Ohio and survived by many nieces and nephews. Linda was preceded in death by her parents Helen and Donald White and her sister Diana White Martin.
Linda will be remembered by the smile she always had on her face and how special she would make others feel. She truly left her mark on this world. Linda loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all her heart and is now enjoying her new life in His loving embrace.