Dr. Charlotte Francis

Dr. Charlotte Laverne Francis transitioned into eternal rest on November 3, 2021 at Medical University of South Carolina in Florence, South Carolina. She was the daughter of the late Lula and Charles Francis, Jr. and was born in Waynesboro, Georgia on September 5, 1956.

The genesis of Charlotte’s spiritual foundation began with parents who were members of John I. Blackburn Presbyterian Church located on the campus of Boggs Academy in Keysville, Georgia – where her strong roots of service to others were planted.

Charlotte’s educational pilgrimage began at Boggs Academy in Keysville, Georgia. The school motto was “Christian Purpose, Christian Preparation and Christian Performance,” a creed she carried forward and embodied in her personal and professional life from then on. At Boggs, she shared her rich alto voice as a member of the Boggs Academy Acapella Chorus. Charlotte graduated from Boggs with Honors in 1974 and headed to Nashville, Tennessee to pursue a degree in nursing.

After receiving her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Vanderbilt University, the first major stop on her journey of love for medicine was as a Registered Nurse. Charlotte was a RN for over 10 years, serving at Saint Joseph’s Hospital and the Veteran’s Affairs Hospital in Augusta, Georgia.

The loving care that she demonstrated as a nurse helped her realize her true passion to become a physician. To prepare for medical school she completed Southern Illinois University’s Medical Prep Program in 1988.

Dr. Francis later matriculated to Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia and received her medical degree in 1992. She then completed her internship and residency in Family Medicine at Mcleod Regional Medical Center in 1995.

Dr. Francis subsequently joined the staff of McLeod Regional Hospital as the first African American female doctor in Florence, South Carolina. She continued to faithfully serve the community for the next 30 years. She will be remembered as a physician who cared for and treated the whole patient and not just illness.

Dr. Francis was a member of the Pee Dee Medical Association Professionals scholarship committee. She is also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. Dr. Francis was a dedicated, founding member of New Harvest Presbyterian Church Florence serving as the church Treasurer and on various Church Boards.

Dr. Francis was preceded in death by parents, Lula and C.W. Francis Jr; husband, Cornelius E. Haynes; and brother, Charles W. Francis, III.

She leaves to cherish her loving memories: three loving sisters, Adrienne (Willie) Oakman of Aiken, South Carolina, Flora Francis of Dallas, Texas, and Karen Francis of Newark, New Jersey; stepson, Cornelius A. Haynes of Bellevue, Washington; two nieces, Krishna (Christoffer) Ekman and Dr. Nikki Oakman both of Dallas, Texas; one nephew, William Oakman of Long Island, New York and her great niece Lucian Oakman; and a host of beloved relatives, friends, colleagues, and coworkers.

Please keep the family of Dr. Charlotte Laverne Francis in your thoughts and prayers.