Francine Decoursey

Francine DeCoursey (1950 - 2025 A Life and Legacy)
It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Francine DeCoursey at
Hospice on the evening of February 18. A heartfelt Celebration of her Life and Legacy was held
on Sunday, February 16, at Jengo’s Playhouse in Wilmington, North Carolina, with many friends
and loved ones in attendance. In October, Francine was diagnosed with cancer, a diagnosis that
changed the course of her life and made it difficult to return to any sense of normalcy. After a
prolonged battle, she entered Hospice care, where she was surrounded by the loving support of
both her family and friends, as well as her extended North Carolina Film family and many close
ties within the Wilmington community.
Francine is survived by her big brother Richard Smith and his partner Michelle Ferraro of
Atlanta, Georgia, Her dear Sister, Deborah Williams, and her husband Scott Williams of Laguna
Beach, California. Their daughters Alana and Mikelle Williams, Their children Jason Lee, and
Michael Williams, and her wonderful family of first Cousins, Teddy, Linda, and Lynn in South
Carolina along with the Holladay family and cousins in Wilmington, Jim, Libby, Susi Hamilton,
Kris Hines, and Randy Holladay.
Over the past three decades, Filmmaker and Activist, Francine DeCoursey’s ON LOCATION
Production Services has supplied Locations, Cast, Crew, and Support Services for over 100
feature film, television, and video productions. Based on Screen Gems Studios lot for over a
decade with Telemedia Group owners Mike and Margaret DeVries, her award-winning
documentaries include Remembering 1898: A Community Effort toward Racial
Reconciliation, The Wilmington Ten: Justice Denied, Begin to Live on Domestic Violence,
Women Leaders in NC Community Colleges, a Governor’s Award winner, Women in the
Arts, and Vote Yes for NC Film Incentives, which assisted in the NC Legislature’s passage of
film incentives. A consistent force in promoting the NC Film & TV industry and the Independent
Film movement, she initiated and helped launch ‘NC VISIONS,’ a PBS-TV showcase of NC
Independent films that ran for 20 years. She is also well known for her many years of service to
the NC Institute of Political Leadership always improving the practice of democracy.
Honored as a ‘Woman of Distinction’ by Ladies of the Cape Fear’s ‘Women of Hope’ for her
activism and community leadership, Ms. DeCoursey is also the recipient of the Outstanding
North Carolinian of the Year award, the YWCA’s ‘Women of Achievement’ Award,
UNC-Greensboro ‘Distinguished Alumni’ Award, and the NC Commission on the Status of
Women ‘Women in Success.’ A long-time advocate for justice and equity, she was bestowed
the Bahai’s ‘Cultural Diversity Leadership’ Award, and the Governor’s Award for her positive
impact on the lives of women and minorities in our state
The Francine DeCoursey Scholarship Fund is being set up for students enrolled in the Fine
Arts, Film, and Design Program at Cape Fear Community College, Wilmington, North Carolina.
A financial gift to this program can be made through the following link
https://cfcc.edu/foundation/give/ Please mention the Francine DeCoursey Scholarship Fund
in the Comments field as her Fund is not yet listed.