HIS JOURNEY

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, January 10, 2018,
Douglas W. France quietly and peacefully slipped away into the presence
of our Lord.

Douglas was born January 9, 1931 in Catonsville, Maryland to the
late Valyrie Talbott and Clarence Amos France. He was one of 10
siblings. During his early years he attended Banneker school in
Catonsville, This was the only African American school in the area that
drew students form Arbutus, Halethorpe, Granite, Olella, Relay and
Randallstown. His thirst for knowledge did not end with high school but
continued with enrollment into college.

He 1956 he married the late Delores France. Mr. France was
paratrooper in the military. He served in the Korean War and in the
Vietnam Conflict. After his discharge from the military he became
employed at the Bethlehem Sparrows Point Shipyard. He retired after 20
years of service. In 2003, he was joined in matrimony to Mary Ellen
France.

Douglas's walk of faith began at an early age. He was a member
of Mount Ol iv et United Methodist Church in Catonsville where he served
as an usher and choir member. Douglas was debonair. When he got
dressed he was polished from head to toe. He was also an expert and
student of history. His detailed nuanced information about the past was
amazing. His music genre reflected his personality. He enjoyed listening
to jazz. Although soft spoken he stood strong in the face of adversity, he
always saw the positive.

Douglas was very family oriented and loved each of his children
and grandchildren, who affectionately called him "DADA'. He was fondly
known to many as Mr. France, "Poppa Stoppa, and Mr. "0", and Cake
man because he could make delicious cakes and fry fish like no other. In
2011 his health began to decline and he later became a resident of
Ridgeway Manor Nursing Horne and Rehabilitation Center in Catonsville.
There he re c ei ved special care and was regularly groomed by Quentin
who would trim is mustache and cut his hair.

He was preceded in death by son Douglas W. France Jr. and. his
nine siblings, Cornelius, Oznol,

Viewing Joseph H. Brown Jr. Funeral Home Thursday, January 18, 2018 05:00 PM - 08:00 PM Email Details 2140 N. Fulton Ave
Baltimore, Maryland 21217 Directions Funeral Service Joseph H. Brown Jr. Funeral Home Friday, January 19, 2018 01:00 PM Email Details 2140 N. Fulton Ave
Baltimore, Maryland 21217 Funeral Service will begin @ 1:30PM Directions