Celebrating the life of
Francis Lee Tootle
January 01, 1920 - December 24, 2007
Francis L. Tootle, 87, passed away December 24, 2007 under the care of Hospice Savannah, Inc. after a short illness.
He was a native of Tattnall County, GA and was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Roxie Tootle; as well as three sisters, Rubye Anderson, Estelle Shields, Betty Jo Richards and one brother, Talmadge Tootle. He was a graduate of Glennville High School and upon his graduation moved to Savannah where he began his career with Seaboard Coastline, retiring after over 40 years of faithful and dedicated service as a conductor. He helped constitute and was President of the Railroad Retirees and was also Treasurer of the local Railroad union for several years. He was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church. Francis was a 50 year Mason of Solomon's Lodge #1 F.&A.M., a member of the York Rite Bodies and the Scottish Rite Consistory-Valley of Savannah, a member of Alee Shrine where he served as Past Captain of the Provost Guard and a member of Palestine Chapter #249, Order of the Eastern Star where he served as Worthy Patron along side his sister, Verna Tootle.
Mr. Tootle is survived by his loving sister, Verna Lou Tootle of Savannah and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces and great nephews.
Visitation: 6:00-8:00 PM Thursday at Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
Funeral Service: 11:00 AM Friday at Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel with burial following at the Greenwich Section of Bonaventure Cemetery with Masonic Rites conducted by Solomon's Lodge #1 F.&A.M.
Honorary Pallbearers: Members of the Alee Shrine Provost Guard.
Dear Verna, I am so sorry to hear about your brother. I know that you and he were very close. I wish you peace and strength during this difficult time, and my thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care. Love, diane hadsell spicer
- diane hadsell spicer, Tampa, FL
I will always remember Uncle Francis as irrepressibly cheerful. He was a very playful man, and always had a joke and a smile at the ready. I never understood his love of fruitcake, but he never understood how I couldn't love it, so I suspect we're even on that account. My thoughts and prayers are with him and with the family he loved so well.
- Ken Shields, Mountain View, CA
We are so happy that we got to visit y'all in June this year, and to see Uncle Francis and spend some time with him on a trip to the old home place. We have many happy memories of other visits as well. Our thoughts and prayers are with Aunt Verna and Cousin Donald, especially this week.
- Steve & Janet Shields, San Diego, CA
Aunt Verna, I wish we could be there with you to honor Uncle Francis. He was a wonderful and loving man, and we will miss him sorely. I hope that the many happy memories will help to give you strength. Know that we love you, and our hearts are with you. To our cousins, we share your grief, and please give Aunt Verna hugs for us. Janet
- Janet Shields, San Diego, CA
Dear Auntie Verna - What a wonderful reunion there must have been when Uncle Francis was reunited with his father and mother and other loved ones that had passed on before. I had a flood of emotions as Donald called with the news. My soul is filled with the memories of visits and times we shared. They will forever hold a special place in my heart. After I talked with Donald I called Roxann to relay the information I had just recieved. As is tradition with Roxann she had on her list of 'Things to Do' that day the making of 'Uncle Francis Pound Cake'. He knows how to make a great one. It was wonderful to be able to share some time with you in May. I have thought much at times how much this experience we call death is much like the event we call birth. I know it is only a short time that we are away from our Heavenly Father and it is only a short time from the time of the passing of loved ones that we will be blessed to be with them again. Donald thank you for all your help. We love both of you. Our Prayers are with you today and Always. Auntie Verna Roxann and I hope to be able to come home again in March or April and we'll look forward to seeing you again. May you be blessed with Comfort and Peace - Love Shawn, Charlene, Roxann, Gilbert and Families
- Shawn Tootle Richards, Magna, UT
I have so many wonderful memories of Uncle Francis. He was such a kind and loving person, and so generous of spirit. I will miss him greatly, and always remember his way of making everyone feel appreciated and special.
- Jamie Shields, San Francisco, CA
Dear Verna, I am so sorry to hear about your brother. I know that you and he were very close. I wish you peace and strength during this difficult time, and my thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care. Love, diane hadsell spicer
- diane hadsell spicer, Tampa, FL
I will always remember Uncle Francis as irrepressibly cheerful. He was a very playful man, and always had a joke and a smile at the ready. I never understood his love of fruitcake, but he never understood how I couldn't love it, so I suspect we're even on that account. My thoughts and prayers are with him and with the family he loved so well.
- Ken Shields, Mountain View, CA
We are so happy that we got to visit y'all in June this year, and to see Uncle Francis and spend some time with him on a trip to the old home place. We have many happy memories of other visits as well. Our thoughts and prayers are with Aunt Verna and Cousin Donald, especially this week.
- Steve & Janet Shields, San Diego, CA
Aunt Verna, I wish we could be there with you to honor Uncle Francis. He was a wonderful and loving man, and we will miss him sorely. I hope that the many happy memories will help to give you strength. Know that we love you, and our hearts are with you. To our cousins, we share your grief, and please give Aunt Verna hugs for us. Janet
- Janet Shields, San Diego, CA
Dear Auntie Verna - What a wonderful reunion there must have been when Uncle Francis was reunited with his father and mother and other loved ones that had passed on before. I had a flood of emotions as Donald called with the news. My soul is filled with the memories of visits and times we shared. They will forever hold a special place in my heart. After I talked with Donald I called Roxann to relay the information I had just recieved. As is tradition with Roxann she had on her list of 'Things to Do' that day the making of 'Uncle Francis Pound Cake'. He knows how to make a great one. It was wonderful to be able to share some time with you in May. I have thought much at times how much this experience we call death is much like the event we call birth. I know it is only a short time that we are away from our Heavenly Father and it is only a short time from the time of the passing of loved ones that we will be blessed to be with them again. Donald thank you for all your help. We love both of you. Our Prayers are with you today and Always. Auntie Verna Roxann and I hope to be able to come home again in March or April and we'll look forward to seeing you again. May you be blessed with Comfort and Peace - Love Shawn, Charlene, Roxann, Gilbert and Families
- Shawn Tootle Richards, Magna, UT
I have so many wonderful memories of Uncle Francis. He was such a kind and loving person, and so generous of spirit. I will miss him greatly, and always remember his way of making everyone feel appreciated and special.
- Jamie Shields, San Francisco, CA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
