[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 177 (Friday, October 16, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E963-E964]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF JACK CLIFFORD ``SOAP'' FRANCIS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 16, 2020

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 
the life of Jack Clifford ``Soap'' Francis, who passed away peacefully 
on September 9, 2020.
  Soap was born on February 20, 1925 in Verona, Mississippi to parents 
Wiley and Ruby Francis. He was raised in Amory, Mississippi, where he 
graduated from high school in 1942. Upon his graduation, Soap attended 
Mississippi State University where he earned a

[[Page E964]]

bachelor's degree and master's degree. His love for the Bulldog family 
persisted even after graduation, as he went on to endow a scholarship 
for a Monroe county student each year.
  Soap's patriotism became evident when he volunteered for World War II 
as a freshman in college. He bravely served as a First Lieutenant in 
the United States Army Air Corps as a Navigator on 35 missions from 
England over Germany. His crew's plane was crippled by blasts on 
Christmas Day of 1944 during Battle of the Bulge, but he safely 
returned home while still maintaining lasting friendships with his crew 
members.
  After his time in the Army, Soap opened Francis Insurance in 1954 and 
later, Francis Reality after marrying his wife, Mary Lib. Soap served 
on the boards of the Mississippi Mutual Insurance Association and the 
National Bank of Commerce, and continued to run his businesses until 
the 1990's.
  In his community, Soap was known as an active member of First Baptist 
Church, where he was a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, department 
superintendent, and usher with a pocketful of peppermints and a smile 
for everyone. Soap was also a dedicated Rotarian, touting an impressive 
60 years of perfect attendance at club meetings across the globe. In 
his years of membership, he served as President of the Amory Club, 
endowed numerous fellowships dedicated toward eradicating polio, hosted 
an exchange student from Australia, and was affectionately named the 
``Ultimate Rotarian.''
  In his free time, Soap loved to play tennis or take a long bike ride 
down the Natchez Trace. He loved to travel both internationally and 
domestically, meeting new friends along his journies. He was an avid 
musical theatre fan and original ``foodie.''
  Soap was preceded in death by his son, Jack Francis, and is survived 
by his wife, Mary Lib Francis; daughters Beth and Patti Francis; and 
his grandchildren Mary Paige Hyland, Madison Francis, Ruby Ross, Violet 
Ross, Lulu Ross, Barrett Griffin, and Amory Griffin.
  Jack Clifford ``Soap'' Francis' life was one of service, grace, and 
love for his family, community, and country. He will be greatly missed 
by all whom he encountered.

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