Sharon Roberta Francis

Sharon Roberta (Conrad) Francis passed away at Canterbury Gardens Memory
Care in Longview on June 15, 2022, aged 85 years. Sharon was born in Longview
on July 30, 1936, and graduated from R.A. Long High School, Class of 1954. In
1955 Sharon married Arlen Francis of Longview, who predeceased her in 2008.
She was predeceased also by her parents, Robert and Pearl (Zinn) Conrad, and a
sister, Patricia (Conrad) Amren.
Sharon is survived by one sister, Judy Huovinen, and by children Rick Francis
(Renee), Sheri Anderson, Kathy Hockett (Gary), and by grandchildren: Justin, Lisa,
Kinsey, Kyle, and Erin, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Memberships include Calvary Community Church, Longview WA, and
participation in Salvation Army’s “Food Pantry” program providing meals for
those in need. Her hobbies and interests were varied; gardening, landscaping
around her home and property on Lone Oak RD, collecting antiques, cooking and
baking (she prepared lots of gourmet meals for her family on birthdays, holidays
and other special events), vacationing in Arizona, and in the 1980’s when Arlen
was employed as a heavy equipment operator near Lemon Grove CA, they both
lived there temporarily for a four-year period and enjoyed exploring and visiting
surrounding Mojave and southern Arizona desert and historical sites. Sharon
loved sunshine, dogs and cats, feeding wild birds, and observing wildlife around
her home and property.
Sharon’s occupations included working as a Clerk at Columbia Analytical Services,
and at Burlington Northern Railroad where she was a clerk-station operator 1975-
1985 at offices in Kelso and Longview and was the last employee at Kalama
station before it was closed. During the period Sharon and Arlen lived in
California, they managed an apartment complex and introduced residents there
to gardening practices enabling all to have fresh fruits and vegetables.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Community Home Health and
Hospice, Longview WA.
Graveside Services for Sharon Roberta Francis will be held Wednesday, July 13
2022, at 1 pm, Longview Memorial Park, 5050 Mt. Solo Road, with Pastor Galen
Conrad officiating. A social gathering with refreshments in the hospitality room at
the Memorial Park will follow.