Otis DeFrance, Natchez
1916 - 2008
NATCHEZ - Services for Otis DeFrance, 92, formerly of New Orleans, who died Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, at Promise Rehab Center, in Ferriday, will be at noon today at Mount Sinai Baptist Church, in Sibley, with the Rev. James Brooks officiating.
Burial will follow at the church cemetery under the direction of Archie C. Curtis Funeral Home.
Mr. DeFrance was born Jan. 23, 1916, in Starkville, the son of George and Lizzie DeFrance. He was retired from Southern Pacific Railroad. Mr. DeFrance was a former deacon of Greater St. James Baptist Church in New Orleans.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and wife, Dora King DeFrance.
Survivors include two sisters-in-law, Julia McFarland and Mary Dixon and husband, Robert; two children he raised, Dora Brown and Birdie Pierce, both of New Orleans; and a devoted niece, Brenda Evans.
Pallbearers will be family and friends.
Memories
Posted by DeFrance_Hence (anonymous) on June 2, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hello,
To everyone you have my sincere condolence.
I strongly believe that I'm a cousin. My great grandfather was Edward DeFrance (1848, MS) he was married to a Fannie Wood/Woods and his brother, Frank DeFrance married a Julia Wood/Woods. The two guys had a sister named Isabella.
My grandfather was Henderson DeFrance and I know that he had a brother or cousin named George DeFrance.
If this is the correct George, I don't know how the other DeFrance's lost this connection. It has been believed for years that the oldest surviving ones were in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, MI.
The family seemed to have its roots in Adams, followed by Washington and Sunflower before moving to Arkansas and elsewhere. I'm sure there were always some in Louisiana since Natchez is where they lived along with Palestine. The earliest DeFrance I found was, Charles (1810, MS with mother from Tennessee).
There will be a DeFrance Reunion/Campbell the weekend of the 11th of July in Detroit, MICHIGAN. The reunion is held every 2 years and a decision is made at the reunion as to where the next one is to be held.
All of the DeFrance's in Benton Harbor and St. Joseph are related. I also believe they are listed in the telephone directory.
I know that the lost has been recent, however, I hope that the healing process is occuring.
Leon Sumpter
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