Marie Bernadette Francois

Marie Bernadette Francois was  born July 5, 1943 in Port De Paix Haiti; to Err Francois and Elizabeth Honore dit Fragilia Gelin. Bernadette was the eldest of 5 children who grew up in Balade a city in Port De Paix, Haiti.

She was most known  in her community as Bernadette. As a young child, Bernadette was the toughest of all the of her siblings. Always standing up for her family. She received her G.E.D then later gained a trade as a seamstress.

She gave birth to her first set of twin boys (Tony and Sony 1969) then later traveled to Bahamas in 1974. While in Bahamas, Bernadette birthed 5 more boys making it a total of 7.

Having to leave her children behind in Haiti, to create a more sustainable life for them and herself, by 1977, she had migrated to the United States to Miami Florida. There she worked several jobs prior to moving to Immokalee FL to reunite with her younger sister Erilia.  Her primary goal was to be able to send for her boys and reconnect with her in America. She worked 2  jobs at a time to  make ends meet for her in the U.S. and to make sure that her children in Haiti did not go without.

In 1984, After making Immokalee her home, 5 pregnancies and 7 baby boys later, Bernadette had the daughter she always wanted. That would complete her family.

In the early 2000’s she was  granted permission to bring 3 of the 7 boys to the USA and not much later she was able to reunite with the other 4, completing her goal to have her entire family with her in the states.

She remained in Immokalee FL until her dying days. She fought illness, heart break and loneliness. And she put up one good fight!

She proved to be brave, strong , consistent, dependable and caring. She loved her family more than anything and we hate to see her go but it warms our heart to know that she is to suffer no more.
Marie Bernadette Francois past away tragically on Sunday February 12, 2023, at the  Naples Community Hospital after surgery complications and suffering a stroke and brain hemorrhaging.

Marie Bernadette Francois is survived by her children: Tony Jules, (Late) Sony Jules, Garry Naissance, Franco Nelsonce, Francis Nelsonce, Erick Naissance, Ofrance Nelsonce, and Darlene Joissaint; Grandchildren: Louise Jules,  Phanara  Jules, Patrick  Jules, Marc-Tony  Jules  Jarule Jules, Kaleb Jules, Bendjina Jules, Pierre- Marcel Jules, Santa Babara Jules, Wycleff  Jules,  Gasner  Naissance, Melissa Naissance, Peterson Joseph, Jarikah  Naissance,  Fransley Nelsonce, Orlentz Nelsonce, Overlande Nelsonce, Jennica Naissance, Leyda Naissance, Kalib Naissance, Leha  Naissance, Polens Nelsonce, Kimberly  Nelsonce. Gabrielle Joissaint, Serenity Bernard and  Skylar Bernard; Mother: Fragilia Gelin; Brothers and sisters: Erilia Francois, Anne Marie Francois,  Antonide Francois and Lucien Francois; Nieces, Nephew, sister and brother and laws.