Fern Young Francis, 87, of Orange, Texas passed away Tuesday, October 5, 2010, at Pinehurst Nursing and Rehab.

Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. Saturday, October 9, 2010, at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Keith Royal of Winfree Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery in West Orange.

Visitation will be from 1:00-3:00 p.m., Saturday at the funeral home.

Born in Winfield, Louisiana on July 9, 1923, Ms. Fern was the daughter of Pinkie Ray and Benjamin Octavius Young. She was a member of the Nurses Cadet Corp. during World War II, and she retired from Orange Memorial Hospital, after 53 years as a Registered Nurse. She was a member of the Orange chapter of T.O.P.S. and was a member of Winfree Baptist Church.

Ms. Fern loved to travel with her friend, Lillian Breaux. When the word 'Go' was mentioned, they were both packed and ready to go. Spouses stayed at home!

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 48 years, Vernon E. Francis.

Ms. Fern is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Ann Cook and her husband, Steven of Georgetown, and Patricia Lynn Fruge of Orange; four grandchildren, Kevin Cook, Andrew Cook, Benjamin Cook and Ricky Fruge; and one great-grandchild, Colten Cook.

The family would like to express appreciation to Pinehurst Nursing and Rehab for the love and care Ms. Fern received. Special thanks to Janice, Phyllis, Barbara, Clara Bell, and to all of those too numerous to mention.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Activity Fund of Pinehurst Nursing and Rehab, attention Annette Davis, Activities Director, 3000 Cardinal Dr., Orange, TX 77630.