Marie Francis

M. Marie W. Francis (as written by Marie)

Myrtle Marie Wharton Francis, age 93 passed away peacefully on March 4, 2026, from causes incident to age. She was born in humble surroundings on February 22, 1933 in Clarksville, Arkansas, the only child of Thelbert Lee and Ethel Jones Wharton. Her mother died shortly after her birth and she was raised by her father with the loving help of her mother’s sister, the late Norma Jones Wharton, and her paternal grandparents, Nathaniel and Sinthia Wharton.

At the age of two she moved with her father and grandparents to Oneida County, Idaho, where she attended school beginning at the age of 5 in a one room school house at Elkhorn and ending at Malad High School.

On August 14, 1949, she married Thomas L. Jones in Malad City, Idaho. Together they had two daughters Barbara and Glenda Jones. They were later divorced.

Marie married Merrell L. Francis in Las Vegas, Nevada, on March 23, 1957. Merrell loved her two cute daughters and raised them as his own. One son, Kenneth, was lovingly born to this marriage. Merrell died October 17, 1984.

They resided in Roy, Utah for 29 years, where she had attended the Roy 14th Ward and had served as the Young Women’s Secretary. She and Merrell were members of the Roy High Booster Club where she had served as Treasurer.

She had been an employee of the American Home Center upon its opening in Ogden in 1957 and had served as the Treasurer of the Mayfair Employee Association during her employment there.

She was retired from the Ogden City School District where she worked as a Computer Operator in the business office for 34 ½ years. She enjoyed her job, the opportunities it provided her, and the association she had with all those with whom she worked. During her tenure there, she was a charter member of the Datapoint Users Group and had served as Secretary/Treasurer. She was also a member of the Ogden Educational Secretaries Associate where she had served two terms as Treasurer.

She served as a volunteer at St. Benedicts Hospital and Ogden Regional Medical Center for 39 years and at the Weber County Sheriff’s Office for 20 years. She was an avid fan of all sports, especially if her family members were participants. She was also a member of the Weber State Wildcat Club for many years.

She served on the Country Hills Manor Condo Management Committee for 13 years and as Chairman for 2 terms.

She is survived by her daughter Glenda Hudgens (Bruce), son Kenneth Francis (Susan), son-in-law Mark Vernieu, cherished grandchildren Eric Bute (Jessica), Jason Hudgens, Ryan Hudgens, Ashlee Johnson (Jason), Luke Francis (Kara), Jake Francis (Johnna), Krysti Kinasewich (Ryan), and many great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Merrell, daughter Barbara, mother Ethel, father Thelbert, step-mother Alma, and her dear Aunt Norma.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to her excellent hospice nurses Nicole, Rachel and Dee from Bristol Hospice, her wonderful care team at Legacy House of Ogden, the therapy and care providers at Pineview Rehab, and her health care providers Jan Davis and Dr. Carolyn Bellfry.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 9, 2026 at 12:00 pm at Myers Mortuary in Roy, Utah. A visitation will be held prior to the funeral service on Monday, March 9, 2026 from 10:30 – 11:30 am at the Myers Mortuary in Roy. Interment will be at the Roy City cemetery.

To honor Marie's life, we kindly invite you to visit her memorial page at www myers-mortuary.com. There, you may leave your cherished memories of Marie, as well as upload any photos you may have. These contributions will serve as a comforting reminder to her family.