Benjamin J. Francis Jr.

St. Martinville - Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, July 3, 2026, at Notre Dame Catholic Church honoring the life of Benjamin J. Francis, Jr., 77, who passed away on June 15, 2026, at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas.

A visitation will take place at Pellerin Funeral Home in St. Martinville on Thursday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM and will continue on Friday from 7:00 am to 10:00 am at Notre Dame Catholic Church.

A Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 PM on Thursday.

Rev. Abelardo Gabriel, SVD will officiate at the Funeral Mass. Readers will be Jonathan Andrus, Crenal Francis and Sandra Snedecor. Stephen Fruge will be reading the obituary. Gift bearers will be Brianne Fruge, Andrea Hardy and Joy.

Burial will follow at Queen of Peace Cemetery.

Benjamin was born on June 13, 1949 in Lafayette. Benjamin was a hardworking man who dedicated his life as a sugarcane farmer after his father retired after 40 years. He continued farming with his late brother, Ronals for another 20 plus years. In between farming, he was able to work offshore for a few years. Once he retired from farming he began working for St. Martinville Parish Maintence Department, after retiring from there he started growing a large scale garden, where he grew a variety of vegetables for Second Harvest Project. Benjamin loved horses, so he became a horse owner and trainer for many years. May he rest in peace .

He is survived by his sisters, Vernell Johnson (Jeffery), Hilda Rose Hardy (Harold) and Prinella Fruge (Stephen, Sr.); and his brothers, Lennis Francis (Yolanda), Jason Francis, and Crenal Francis (Michelle).

He is preceded in death by his spouse, Ginger Bonhomme Francis; and his parents, Benjamin and Verdell Wiltz Francis.

Pallbearers will be Tyler Gilbert, Anthony Fruge, Christopher Joseph, Isaac Francis, Izais Francis, Jarvis Fontenette, Jason Fontenette and Johnathan Andrus.

Honorary pallbearers will be Lennis Francis, Jason Fontenette, Crenal Francis, Jeffery Johnson, Harold Hardy and Stephen Fruge.

Pellerin Funeral Home of St. Martinville (337-332-2111) is in charge of arrangements.