Ernest Clifton Francis, Jr., age 90, died December 26, 2017, at The Chesapeake Retirement Community, healthcare unit. He was a native of Southampton County, Virginia and a resident of Hampton for over fifty years before moving to The Chesapeake Retirement Community, Newport News, Virginia in 2003.

He served in the United States Coast Guard during World War II, then completed college, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and Business from William and Mary. He served as an officer in the US Navy during the Korean War. After release from active duty in late 1952, he began a Civil Service career with the Army at Fort Monroe, but remained in the Naval Reserve where his total service spanned forty-two years, retiring at the rank of Captain. During this tenure, he commanded several different Naval Reserve units, three at the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Training Center in Newport News, and several large units at the Atlantic Fleet Headquarters in Norfolk. He was awarded many medals and campaign ribbons, including the Navy Meritorious Service Medal in 1979.

During his Civil Service career at Fort Monroe, he worked as a Supervisory Management Specialist with the Continental Army Command and the Training and Doctrine Command, retiring in November 1984. He then worked as a Budget Analyst in the Nonappropriated Funds, HQ TRADOC from December 1984 until his retirement in December 1989, receiving the Commander's Award for Meritorious Service.

He was a member of Central United Methodist Church, Hampton, where he served as Chairman of the Administrative Board for many years, President and life member of the United Methodist Men, various committees, and other activities. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Fort Monroe Credit Union where he served as Treasurer. He was a life member of the Reserve Officers' Association and a past member of the Association of the United States Army. He served on the Peninsula United Way Budget Committee for many years. He was a Charter Member of the Riverdale Recreation Association and served on the Board of Directors.

After moving to the Chesapeake Community in 2003, he served on the Resident Council for seven years including Chaplain, Vice President and President. He was a Resident Ambassador, developed and presented several patriotic programs to residents, civic clubs and church groups, was an avid gardener and shared many vegetables from the Chesapeake "Funny Farm" with residents and staff personnel.

Survivors include two sons, Dr. Hunter Francis, wife Donna and Dr. Scott Francis, wife Winifred; three granddaughters, Alison Sheppard, husband Larry; Catherine Westphal, husband Michael; and Courtney Francis; four great-grandchildren, Wyatt Sheppard, Charlotte Sheppard, Emma Westphal. and Jackson Westphal. Also one nephew Dr. Albert H. Francis, Jr. and one niece Mary Ann Leftwich.

Visitation will be held at R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home, Hampton, from 6:00 to 7:30pm, Friday, December 29. A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00am, Saturday, December 30 at Central United Methodist Church, 225 Chapel Street, Hampton, Va 23669, by Pastor Booker Brown. A committal service, with military honors, will follow at Holly Lawn Cemetery, Suffolk at 12:30pm. The family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of contributions to Central United Methodist Church, or the Benevolent Fund, c/o The Chesapeake, 955 Harpersville Road, Newport News, VA 2360l, or a favorite charity.