Funeral & Grief Support for Charles Francis&Family

My name is Christine Weller, mother of one of Charles’ good friends (Luke). I represent a team of moms whose children loved Charles as a sibling. Kristi Tanner (Keaton), Mary Frances Downs (Sean)., and Jen Teeters (Cam) and I are raising funds to help the Francis family with the unexpected funeral expenses for their son, Charles Joseph Francis.

 

Funds raised exceeding funeral costs are welcome and will go directly to the family to help ease the burden of living costs and permit flexibility in work schedules so that the Francis family may start to heal from this tremendous loss. They would like to start a school initiative regarding mental health awareness amongst teens as well. 

 

On March 4, 2022, we tragically lost Charles Francis, a high school senior and one of Centerville High School’s most gentle souls and authentic friends. He was known by others for his positivity and optimism.

 

He was a subtle extrovert and a master diplomat. There wasn’t a room he entered where he didn’t spread joy with his beautiful smile, generous spirit and impish twinkle in his eye. Charles often imparted words of encouragement to the defeated. His acquaintances reflect that he would frequently compliment others on how they looked, acted or performed in an effort to make them feel their personal best.

 

He was fun-loving and creative. As a member of the Culinary Program at CHS, he was elected President of the Culinary Arts Program for the 2021-22 school year. He participated in many culinary competitions and he was accepted into the Columbus Culinary Institute. He also worked part-time at a local restaurant.

 

Charles loved his family. He learned his cooking skills through lessons with his mother, Trinidad. He loved to fish and play board games with his father, Charles. He embraced long-distance phone conversations with his beloved sister, Khali, one of his life’s greatest confidantes. And he spent meaningful hours over the past year with his girlfriend, Emma, whom he and his family lived.

 

His closest friends loved him dearly. Some were connected since kindergarten. Charles seemed to anchor their tight-knit clan yet always opened his door to new friends who brought different personalities to the entourage. They acknowledge that Charles greatly impacted their lives on many levels. They spent countless nights together gaming and movie-watching, hiking, studying, driving and eating at Cork-N-Bottle/ Tuscany’s. Charles also enjoyed making hilarious skits and movies with friends. He was quite a character!

 

However, Charles also demonstrated compassion when his friends suffered with their own life issues. He would share deep, sensitive conversations with them one on one, expressing his genuine concern and offering consolation in moments of emotional anguish. He was reliable and trustworthy with secrets. He demonstrated empathy and mercy.

 

His friends collectively summarize their thoughts:

 

“When our group of friends look back on the best days of our lives so far, Charles was always there. As a group, we stood together during high and low times. He touched so many people with his passionate, kind soul and positive outlook. We feel fortunate to have known Charles and proud to call him our good friend.

We will eternally miss you, our brother.”

 

Please help by donating any amount, if you are able, or by extending thoughts and prayers to his family, friends and fellow students who loved Charles in this life.

Thank you,

 

Christine

Please Note: After I posted, I realized that the donation page incorrectly claims I am the beneficiary. I will correct this clerical error ASAP.  The beneficiaries will be Trinidad and Charles Francis, Sr. and family.