Dr. Jeannette Francis-Ferris
August 17, 1963 ~ July 5, 2024
Dr. Jeannette Francis-Ferris was born on August 17th, 1963, in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas US Virgin Islands. She spent the early years of her life in Antigua, where she first met her husband Dale in teacher-baby school. They reconnected as adults when she visited Antigua.
She bravely joined the United States Army after graduating from high school in St. Thomas. She worked as a dental specialist in the Army and served in the Army Reserves. She earned multiple degrees throughout her professional career. She earned her Associate’s Degree in Dental Hygiene from Fayetteville Technical Community College, Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Fayetteville State University in addition to her Doctorate of Education in Leadership and School counseling from Argosy University. She maintained her dental hygiene license as she pursued her career as an educator. At South Cobb High School, she was not only the healthcare science teacher, she also served in various leadership roles throughout the years such as a department chair and co-chair, program director and site coordinator for the 21st century learning center, in addition to assisting with on-campus organizations such as HOSA.
Outside of her professional roles, she was best known for her loving spirit and warm energy. Her smile and jovial nature would light up a room. She loved bright colors, HGTV, and the cooking channel. Her vibrant personality is showcased all throughout her home. She was a true pleasure and joy to be around. Her kind-hearted nature led her to serve as a mother figure to all who were fortunate enough to have a relationship with her. She encouraged everyone to pursue their passions and earn their education, no matter how daunting the task. She made sacrifices in order to provide a home for all who sought refuge. Wherever she lived served as the gathering place for the family, she hosted many Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays with her husband Dale as the carver and daughter Bryana, the sous chef. Her cooking was better than any West Indian restaurant! She was a natural born leader, and her siblings followed her every step of the way, including careers in the military and moving from Fayetteville, NC to Georgia. She was truly a remarkable woman who accomplished countless professional and personal goals, inspiring her family, friends, and students along the way. Although she is gone too soon, we can confidently say she left a remarkable impact on this world.
Dr. Jeannette Francis-Ferris is preceded in death by her father, Glenford Francis and survived by her husband, Dale Ferris, daughter Dr. Bryana Ferris, mother Lillian Saunders, siblings Romeo Isaac, Jewel Phillips, Rawl Isaac, Vernae Ellis, Michelle Proctor, Yvonne Fleming, Melinda Francis, Sonia Francis McKenzie, Sandra Francis Cornwall and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
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Q: What was one of your favorite qualities of Dr. Jeannette?
A: My (sisa) in-law had many qualities, but one that sticks out to me personally is making us feel so comfortable and at home.
Especially when given Xander his special purple spoon, to eat all your good cooking.🥰
So easy to talk to and would give you wonderful advice.
She ALWAYS carried a smile and her laugh was infectious.
You definitely will be missed tremendously and your memories will live on forever. 💕
We love you,
Mr&Mrs Rawl Isaac and family
With love, Mary Micale and Family
My deepest sympathies to the family of Jeannette Francis-Ferris.May God comfort & give you strength during this most difficult time you’re in my thoughts & prayer’s,keep the faith I Love You.From your cousin Cheryl V Charles in St.Croix.🙏🏾💪🏾💔😢😭💔😭😢🙏🏾💪🏾🙏🏾💪🏾
My heart is heavy at the loss of Jeanette. I will cherish memories of our friendship and miss your sparkling smile and laugh. But most of all, I am grateful for your mentorship of my son Dominic while he was her student at SCHS. He has achieved because of you.
Heartfelt condolences to the family. Jeanette was special-alway giving and sharing. May she rest in eternal peace 🕊️
Amey family!
In memory of Dr J Ferris-Francis,Your light continues to brighten our path.
In Loving Memory of Classmate Jeanette from the Dawson Family
Dr. Jeanette I am so broken that you are gone. It is just a few weeks ago I spoke to you and you said when my family and I come down to Georgia you would have a bbq for us. I was looking forward to spending time with you and Dale chatting and laughing. I have such wonderful memories of you when my brother and I visited with you in North Carolina. You were so hospitable and friendly. I also recall your visits to New York. I always enjoy your company. God took you soon because you are so special that he wanted you back. Dale, Bri, Dianne and family members the scripture says once a family die in Christ and you too know Christ there is that hope you will see them again. Live for Jesus as that is all that matters in life. We grieve with you but we do not grieve without hope. We will keep you all in prayer that God will comfort you all in the coming days. I know Eustace and my mom wanted to be in attendance at the service but due to circumstances they are not able to be in attendance. On behalf of them I want to extend their condolences as well.
Sleep in the arms of Jesus Jeanette.
Love Karlene (aka Gem), Lindon and family
Ms. Farris I’m sorry to hear you passed. You were my favorite teacher/mom at South Cobb in health science class. I’m so hurt you are gone. You was an amazing teacher and person to talk about life to. Your lessons will forever be with me. I’m glad I share a birthday with you daughter, you’ll always be a mother figure to me. Love and miss you
Forever in our hearts. We will miss you dearly. Thank you for every precious moment, meal, and encouragement. Love you always my sweet ray of sunshine
Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.
Forever in my heart my forever friend. RIEP Jeanette🙏🏽🙏🏽
Dr. Jeannette Francis-Ferris will remain in our hearts forever. A BEAUTIFUL soul! Condolences to Bree, Dale, and family.
Devoted Mother
You will always be loved, missed, and never forgotten. Rest in heaven my dear friend. Sending condolences from Clarese Andrews (North Carolina)
We are thinking of you during this difficult time.
May you be comforted by the outpouring of love surrounding you. Keeping you all close in thought and prayers.
Our deepest condolences to Dale and Bryana. We pray the love of God enfolds you during your journey through grief and understanding.
Jeannette was a wonderful employee and Dental Hygienist for me at my Dental Practice. She outgrew Dentistry and moved on to another profession. We missed her when she moved away and will truly miss her now . She left her mark wherever she went. Her beautiful smile and laughter will always be remembered. Our hearts are heavy and we grieve of your passing. But I can only say God knows best . To all of your family and friends i will say you will always be in our heart and thoughts. I send love and prayers of comfort to the family.
Dr an Mrs Byron McNeill Jr
Your beautiful soul touched the life of many. You will never be forgotten. May you rest in grace and in love.
With loving memories of “Dr. Jeannette Francis-Ferris”. She has held a special place in my heart. My condolences to Dale and Bryana and family
With loving memories of “Dr. Jeannette Francis-Ferris”,Forever in our hearts
No Words. Our neighbor for 22 years. Lovely person and friend. Prayers for Dale and Bryana , The Gleeson Family
“Dr. Jeannette Francis-Ferris” will remain in our hearts forever.
Please accept my most heartfelt sympathy for your loss… My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dr. Bryanna Ferris & Family.My deepest condolences. May God comfort you , strengthen you and give you peace . My thoughts and prayers remain with you.
Phenomal educator, colleague and dear friend who will be greatly missed. She gave her to teach and prepare her students for life beyond high school and was valuable collaborator with her colleagues. A true professional with a common sense approach to all persons and things she was involved with. She was a really caring person. I’ll miss you my good friend and so will the entire Eagle Nation. RIHP MY FRIEND!
With deepest sympathies.
Our heart goes out to you and your family as you grieve the loss of your beloved Jeannette. We have only happy memories of her.
I know we haven’t been in touch for a while my condolences go out to Dale and Breanna, she will be truly missed
Dr. Francis-Ferris you will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for your guidance and compassion.
May God provide grace and mercy during this difficult period in your lives.🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
A beautiful person that radiated loving energy everytime we met. Rest peacefully Aunty Jeannette
Jeannette was my friend and co-worker. I miss her dearly. She is an invaluable part of my life as an educator and a person, I am a better woman for knowing her. I will keep your family in my prayers! She is very proud of you Bryana! Words cannot express the pain I feel and for the great loss we will experience at South Cobb, however, I am at peace knowing that she indeed left this world a better place! We are all better for having her in our lives. Shawn Green
With great love and prayers to my Family of twenty plus years. My friend and my sister will be missed. The Doc has taken her place of rest for now. We shall see her again in due time. Amen and Amen.
Love always,
Dee Lee and Family
Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.
I’m so happy that Jae took time to see me on her last trip home & insisted that we took pics. We laughed and spoke about the next time & upcoming class events, promising to make time. Who knew that just that suddenly, there would no next time? May she rest in eternal peace.
Love your classmate/cuz Steph & Family
CAHS ’82
Condolences to the family. Such a sweet spirit. RIPP Jeanette
Good morning my sincere condolences to the entire family of Dr Jeannette Francis ferris 🙏
Dr. Francis-Ferris your smile and spirit will always be missed by the staff and students at SCHS. I’m honored to have met and worked with you.
We have lost an amiable, caring, compassionate cousin who has made an invaluable contribution to humanity. Her sojourn here was brief, but she has left an indelible impression on us all. So long dear Dr Jeannette! May your soul rest in perpetual peace!
To the family of Jeannette, Dale her husband, Bryana her daughter, her mom, siblings, and family: I extend my deepest condolences and sympathy during this difficult time of your great loss. Jeannette was a gentle and sweet soul and knowing that she is at peace with her heavenly father gives us great comfort. Tony (my brother) and I are saddened by this loss and will continue to hold our great memories in our heart as you celebrate the life of our dear friend. Jemma and Tony
I’m sending condolences to the family of Dr. Jeannette Francis-Ferris. She was an amazing person, and I was honored to have her as my mentor!!
Q: What will you miss most about Dr. Jeannette?
A:
I will miss Dr. Ferris smile that lights up a room and her soft spoken voice .
My condolences to Dr. Jeanette Ferris and family. I am still in shock. I know you’re gone from this earth and you’re now in your eternal home, sleep well my friend, you’re greatly missed❤️🙏🏾
From the Grant family
May her memory be a blessing.
Jeannette’s nurturing spirit. support of family, and compassionate nature, were significant characteristics of her personality. Her culinary skills will be greatly missed at family gatherings which she frequently hosted. She has left a legacy of love and kindness for all who knew her to emulate.
She will be sorely missed by family, friends, and all who were blessed to have known her.
Tracey, Tulip and Basil
To the family of Jeannette I would like to extend my sincere condolences. I pray the God would continue to comfort you in during this difficult time. God bless.
Dr. Francis-Ferris was a wonderful person and co-worker. She was instrumental in my development as a new teacher at South Cobb
– Jason Chastang
Jeanette was a good friend of mine from 48 years ago when I lived in Fayetteville. Though we were from the same island & her sister was my friend, I didn’t get to know Jeanette until I moved to NC. She was a godsend in many ways for me. When I didn’t have transportation she gave me rides, when I didn’t have food she fed me, when I needed a babysitter she took care of my daughter, when I needed a friend she was there for me in many ways. Always a kind hearted person. She also hosted the BEST parties, & for many Virgin Islanders it made us feel like home. Thank you Jeanette for being a bright light in this world. Rest on my dear friend in God’s Eternal Peace.💖
Our hearts are heavy as we remember Jeannette, a beloved cousin whose infectious laugh and beautiful smile could light up any room. Her warm and welcoming disposition made everyone feel at home from the moment they stepped through her door.
To know Jeannette was to be enveloped in kindness and joy. She had an extraordinary ability to make everyone around her feel cherished and valued. Her laughter was a melody that could lift any spirit, and her smile was a beacon of light in our lives.
Jeannette had a remarkable gift for cooking, turning every meal into a feast that delighted the senses and brought us together. When I prepare meals that she taught me how to make, I think of her fondly.
As we mourn her loss, we also celebrate the incredible person she was and the countless ways she touched our lives. Jeannette’s legacy of love, laughter, and warmth will forever remain in our hearts.
With Love,
Tesha, Jhanae (Twiggy), Sierra, and Iliana
With loving memories of “Dr. Jeannette Francis-Ferris”,
My condolences and deepest sympathies to the family.
By the time Jeannette started visiting Rose Bank, I was gone. Consequently, I knew nothing of the little girl who would visit her uncle and my mother, the universal mother. Much later, I would learn about her. On one of my visits to Antigua, while visiting Uncle Glen, I mentioned that some years earlier I had moved to North Carolina. That’s how I found out about a cousin in Fayetteville. Upon my return to North Carolina, I contacted her and we became acquainted. Later, we were in Antigua at the same time and we finally met.
During my time in college, military recruiters were quite prominent then. I never had any interest. Nonetheless, my philosophy was and is that one should know more than just warfare when leaving the military. Obviously, that was not a problem for Jeannette. Much respect. Later, after leaving the military, she pursued advanced education. Greater respect and admiration.Now I learn that while in Fayetteville, she had become even more equipped for life after the military. My admiration has increased even more.
In spite of our limited interactions, she is greatly and dearly admired. To Dale, Bryanna, immediate family and extended family, inclusive of friends, hold on to your precious memories. I have found over the years that our precious memories help to sustain us and lift us up by the grace of God.
Be wonderfully blessed today and always.
Reynold (Rennie) Francis
Sending our condolences to your family Love,The McKenzie family
From day one Dr. Francis-Ferris was a mentor and positive influence for me while teaching at South Cobb High School. I could always go to her for advice and encouragement. She was one of a kind.
Jeanette was my neighbor and my friend in a remote hallway location at South Cobb High. With a laugh during hall duty one morning, we affectionately named our little group way back there the “Dungeon – Dogs”. She was always friendly and available, whether to work out a technical professional challenge or in voicing something on a more basic humane level. Though not all encompassing of Jeanette’s admirable characteristics and achievements, in a brief summary of two words, to me she defined what being humane & professional was. I can look back this way in appreciation & love, as we all navigate our various ways moving forward through this life…but I’ll miss you, fellow D.D.
~Tim Williams, Visual Arts SCHS
Dr. Francis-Ferris was one of the kindest people I ever had the pleasure of working with at South Cobb High School. Over the weekend, she would use my classroom to administer the ACT/SAT, and when I would return on Monday, I would find beautiful notes with chocolate that she would leave hidden for me inside my desk. It would always make my day. It was like she knew exactly what I needed to hear when I needed to hear it. I would always read her notes throughout the week for a little pick me up. I will miss her dearly! I’m so honored to have worked with such a sweet soul.
I used to do Jeanette’s hair. She was a hygienist back then. Such a beautiful soul. I was really sorry to hear of her passing. I will always have fond memories of her. She was educated, professional and kind. I can hear her now saying “doing good”. I know she’s in heaven “doing good”. My sincerest condolences to her daughter and family.
Donna Harpe
Dr. Francis-Ferris was an amazing teacher. She had a way of making me, just a regular student, feel like family. She was sweet yet stern and a great listener. I remember that my peers and I would constantly talk to her at her desk about our personal lives, we were so comfortable with her that we would even pull up chairs to her desk to talk to her longer. Dr. Francis just wanted to see her students be successful. She was the only teacher who truly cared about my success. I still think about the reaction she had when I first showed her my page in a magazine, she was so happy for me. When I finished my first year in her pathway classroom she gave me the lamp and flowers in her classroom, because I had always complement them. I still have them as decorations in my room till this day. Dr.Francis-Ferris was truly one of my favorite teachers and i’ll never forget her. Although I never planned to take that class, I thank god that he allowed me to cross paths with such an amazing women.
My condolences to Jeanette’s family. We attended school together in St. Thomas and though we did not keep in contact over the years, I never forgot what a sweet loving personality she had. Rest in Heaven Jeanette🙏🏾🙏🏾
Our deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers during this difficult time.
My son Thaddeus attended SCHS and always spoke so fondly of you during his years there. I had never met you, however, years later our paths would cross at Campbell High School where we both worked with the 21st Century grant program. We connected immediately and I then discovered you were the teacher my son always spoke so highly of. You were one the warmest kindest women I ever encountered during my years of living in Atlanta. You were there for me at a time in my life when I needed a friend. You were so genuine… a breath of fresh air. I will forever remember you, my loving dear Sistah!