Daughter of John W. Withers and Carrie (Bess) Withers.

Married Cecil M. Clubb 14/Dec/1942 at Marble Hill, MO.

Married Robert Francis 09/Oct/2004.

Mary Selena Clubb Francis, age 101 departed this life and moved to a new home in heaven on March 21, 2023. She was born June 27, 1921, in Bollinger County to John W. and Carrie Bess Withers.

Lena and Cecil M. Clubb were married December 14, 1942. He passed away November 26, 1987.

Lena and Robert Francis were married October 9, 2004. He passed away April 2, 2007.

Lena was a member of Marble Hill United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, and the Kitchen Sunday School Class. She was also a former Rebekah Lodge Member.

Lena at her advanced age volunteered at least two days per week at the senior center and worked there until her health prevented her from continuing.

Although most of her life was spent as a homemaker, during World War II she worked at an ammunition plant in St. Louis to support the war effort. She also had a remarkable memory when it came to birth dates, not only of her family, but almost everyone around her.

Lena survived two extremely serious bouts of pneumonia which would have been fatal to most people, but she was able to persevere and amaze the hospital staff with her tenacity at recovering. Over many years of Lena's life, she acquired many friends. One of the amazing things which occurs when you live to be over 100 years old is that you lose most of your friends. The last few years of Lena's life have been much more difficult as she continued to lose her hearing and it was hard to communicate. On the occasion of her 100th birthday her life was celebrated with a party where most of her family and remaining friends were able to be with her.

She is survived by two sons; John (and Vickie) of St. Charles, MO; and Bob (and Jean) Clubb of Leopold, MO; three grandsons; one granddaughter; six great-grandchildren; stepson, Robert (and Nancy) Francis of Maryland, and stepdaughter, Margie Davies of California; six step-grandchildren, and five step-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Francis was preceded in death by one son, Richard (Glee) Clubb of Forsyth, MO; her parents, three brothers, George, Troy, and Junior Withers, as well as one grandchild.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 25, 2023, at Creekside Faith Fellowship in Marble Hill. The funeral will immediately follow the visitation, at Creekside Faith Fellowship with Pastor Tom Zych officiating. Burial will be private for family only.

SOUTHEAST MISSOURIAN

Cape Girardeau, MO

24/Mar/2023