Longtime Illinois educator and historian Sharon Sue Francois dies at 83

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Sharon Sue Francois, an 83-year-old resident of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away on March 6, 2026 at Stonebridge Memory Care in Mount Vernon. Francois was a longtime educator who worked as a teacher for her entire career after graduating from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a Master's in Education. She was also heavily involved in the local community, serving as president of the Jefferson County Historical Society for several years.

Why it matters

Francois' passing marks the end of an era for the Mount Vernon community, where she was a beloved and respected figure who dedicated much of her life to preserving local history and supporting educational initiatives. Her involvement with the Jefferson County Historical Society helped raise the profile of the organization and earned it recognition as a leading small museum and institution in Illinois.

The details

During her tenure as president of the Jefferson County Historical Society, Francois helped create programs like "The Day in the Life of a Prairie Child" which was honored by the Illinois Association of Museums. Under her leadership, the historical society was named Small Museum of the Year and Small Institution of the Year by the Illinois Association of Museums. Francois was also active with the American Battlefield organization, the local Chamber of Commerce, and the Retired Teachers Association.

• Sharon Sue Francois passed away on March 6, 2026 at 2:10 pm.
• Francois was born on September 18, 1942 in Anna, Illinois.
• Francois married Tommy Joe Francois on an unknown date in 1986 in Douglas, Arizona. He preceded her in death in 2026.