Morris Henning Francine

Morris “Mo” Henning Francine, 84, of Johns Creek, Georgia, went to be with the Lord to celebrate his birthday and homegoing on September 13, 2022.

Mo was born September 13, 1938 in Turlock, California. He was the youngest of four children born to Henning and Maria “Marie” Bergstom Francine, who were second-generation immigrants from Sweden. As a young boy, he was lovingly doted on by his three older sisters.

He attended Turlock High School where he was a Yell Leader, sang in the choir, participated in school plays, was president of the Thespians, and graduated in 1956. He went on to complete his Bachelor of Arts undergraduate degree at Trinity College in Deerfield, IL; it was there that he met the love of his life, Eleanor “Ellie” Olsen. They married in September of 1960 and lived in the Chicago area, where they had three children: Jonathon, Timothy, and Peter.

Mo attended Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and became the youth pastor at Elim Evangelical Free Church in Oak Lawn, Illinois. In 1968, he then transitioned to work for ServiceMaster, located in Chicago; here he focused on recruiting managers. In 1977, Mo and Ellie moved their family to Stone Mountain in the Atlanta area, where they were active members of Smoke Rise Baptist Church. Mo continued his work with ServiceMaster until late 1982; in 1983, Mo started his own company, Commercial Cleaning Services, Inc., which he managed for twenty years.

After a move to the Johns Creek area in 1985, he soon became an active member of Perimeter Church, serving as an elder, as well as participating in several mission trips to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Poland, and Tanzania. In 2000, Mo began working for Perimeter as the Director of Front Door Ministries. He served at Perimeter for ten years, thriving and finding great joy in his interaction with others. He also managed a large group of volunteers each week, including the church welcome team, the ushers, and the church coffee bar. In 2010, Mo transitioned to join Ellie as part of the Perimeter School Adventure Program until they both officially retired in 2013.

In 2007, Mo and Ellie moved to the North Georgia mountains of Jasper, Georgia and settled into the Big Canoe community. They joined Trinity Church in Jasper where Mo served as an elder and was an active member on the missions board. During this time, he was able to travel to China with fellow church and mission workers.

Mo enjoyed golf and working in the yard. He was an avid runner, participating in 15 July 4th Peachtree Road Races, as well as being a devoted Chicago Bears and Atlanta Braves fan. He had a keen sense of style. Mo was a trusted, faithful friend who never met a stranger and always had a kind, gentle word to share. He kept his gaze heavenward with a heart for those less fortunate, especially remembering those in the mission field since his mother’s parents were missionaries in Japan. He actively participated in the lives of his sons and grandchildren, leaving an indelible mark. Even at the end of his life, he was actively leading or involved in three Bible studies, continuing to invest in the lives of others. His legacy will continue through the many lives he touched through ministry, business, missions, and volunteering.

Mo is preceded in death by his parents: Henning and Marie Francine; wife: Ellie Francine; and sons: Jonathan Francine and Peter Francine.

Mo is survived by his son: Timothy (Mary) Francine of Suwanee, GA; grandchildren: Hilton Henning Francine (23) of Birmingham, AL, Harper Elizabeth Francine (21) of Suwanee, and Hollis Timothy Francine (19) of Suwanee; sisters: Lorraine Olson of Turlock, CA, Marvel Kirkham of Redlands, CA, and Bobbie Mattson of Brentwood, TN; nieces and nephews: Dana Syverson, Karen Rapp, Janet Maxwell, Steve von Rajcs, Teri Taylor, Pam Harmon & Bruce Mattson; numerous cousins and countless friends.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at 11:00 am at Perimeter Church, Day Chapel, 9500 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek, GA 30097

In lieu of flowers, donations honoring Mo may be dropped off at the service or mailed to these ministries that were dear to his heart:

-Perimeter Church Global Outreach, 9500 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek, GA 30097

-Trinity Church Global Missions, 2685 Steve Tate Highway, Marble Hill, Georgia 30148

-Perimeter School “Francine Gardens,” 9500 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek, GA 30097.                                    For the ongoing maintenance of Francine Gardens, a beautiful nature area established to honor Ellie & Mo upon their retirement from Perimeter School.