Valorie Juliet Francis' Obituary
Valorie Juliet Pichon Francis was gifted with life on April 23, 1937 in Slidell, LA. She was the second of five children born to Francis and Leona Torregano Pichon. She is preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Francis, Jr. and Delbert.
She was baptized at Sacred Heart Church in Slidell where she also received her First Holy Communion and the Rites of Confirmation as a young girl. She was also a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Parish. She attended elementary school and high school in Slidell, LA, graduating from St. Tammany High School in 1954. Valorie also attended Xavier University in New Orleans, LA where she met her future husband, Lorenzo Francis. They were married in 1957 and moved to Denver after their wedding. She resided in Denver until her death.
Valorie and Lorenzo were the parents of three children: daughter Lana, and sons Bryant and Glenn. Valorie loved children and worked as a CNA in the newborn wing at Children’s Hospital for several years. She was also a foster parent to many children. She later returned to the workforce as a seamstress in the costume department for Denver Public Schools and later worked many years at Smiley Middle School.
Valorie was an accomplished seamstress, and her beautiful prom, special occasion and wedding dresses were exceptional and beautiful and made many young women extremely happy. She also had her own small business doing alterations for others and was adept at arts and crafts, often holding shows to display her talents.
Throughout her life, she was always accompanied by the music of Johnny Mathis and his beautiful voice. She found so much joy and comfort in his music. She loved Christmas trees and decorating them and they were truly spectacular. During the Christmas season whenever you visited her you would be treated to watching her decorate her trees, accompanied by the smell of gingerbread men being baked and being offered hot apple cider. Of course, for her generosity you also had to listen to Johnny Mathis singing Christmas carols as she trimmed a special tree for every room in her home. Her patience was amazing.
She loved attending stage plays, concerts, ice skating shows and festivals, as well as family events and socializing with friends. She was a lifelong fan of the Denver Broncos. She was kind, caring and thoughtful of others. She loved God, family, life, friends and of course Johnny Mathis.
Valorie was a member of the parish, Loyola Catholic Church. She was a member of the Ten O Clock Ladies Group where she was often involved in cooking and serving at their activities. She was willing to do anything asked of her. Her red beans and rice were always anticipated and enjoyed by many, especially Father Tom Jost who totally enjoyed the dish. As her health began to fail, she was lovingly cared for by her daughter Lana and grandson, Adrian. She transitioned to be the The Lord on March 7, 2024.
To continue her circle of life and honor her memory she leaves her daughter Lana; sons: Bryant and Glenn’ (8) grandchildren, including Adrian, (5) great-grandchildren; (2) sisters: Majorie and Nathalie, (10) nieces and nephews, including her beloved nephew Jonathan; (13) great-nieces and nephews, (10) great-great nieces and nephews, 2 sisters-in-law and many other cousins, relatives and friends. Valorie will be truly missed and loved always.
Valorie would like to be remembered simply as a person who loved God, her family and her life and who was blessed and privileged to have been loved by so many during her lifetime.
May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Honorary Pallbearers:
Adrian Francis
Brayden Francis
Morgan Francis
Jonathan Gibson
Trent Hudley
JaNaya Hudley
Nicole Pichon
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