Jone Franco Obituary

Jone brought to this world a spirit of joy and freedom... freedom to live life... loving... laughing and caring about others. She loved America and her Lord Jesus Christ above all, and wanted to make it a better place like her forefathers intended it to be. She campaigned... guarded the borders and held prayer vigils at courthouses and public places of power. No progress was too small and no mountain too tall. She lived her life to make a difference... and therefore, we are all changed and will never be the same.

Jone was born September 3, 1954 to her birth parents, James Nelson and Ruth Catherine Bardin. Because of family needs, Jone and her birth sister and brothers were cared for in the Children's Home of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. At the age of six, Jone was adopted by a waiting family, desperately wanting another child and a son who desired a brother or sister. Reverend Charles and Judy Hill, and son, Dickie, received God's great blessing and their family was complete.

Jone moved with her family from Oklahoma to Arkansas and Tennessee. She was involved in church, sang solos and made great friends wherever she lived. She graduated from High School in Memphis, Tennessee and majored in nursing at Union University, Jackson, Tennessee. She felt her greatest accomplishment was the raising of two wonderful sons, Robert Garrett and Ruben (Bucky) Franco. She adored them and her husband Ruben Franco with her whole heart. They cared for her in loving, caring ways throughout her four-year battle with cancer.

Jone is survived by her husband, Ruben Franco Jr.; son, Robert Garrett and wife Sarah and son, Everett of Mississippi; son, Ruben Franco III and fiancé Nicole Min of Washington, D.C.; brother, Dick Hill of Houston, TX; sister, Christy King of Edmond, OK; sister, April Whitener of Nevada; brother, Christopher Bardin of Tempe, AZ; brother, Kelly Field and wife Jeri of Ft. Worth, TX; brother, Scott Holt and wife Pat of Dallas, TX; brother, Mark Holt and wife, Susan of Richmond, VA; sister-in-law, Bertha Pinney and husband, John of El Paso, TX; sister-in-law, Rosio Sanchez and husband Mario of El Paso; brother-in-law, Rene Franco of El Paso; father-in-law, Ventura Ruben Franco of El Paso; mother-in-law, Maria Andréa Arredondo of El Paso; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her birth parents, adopted parents and sister-in-law, Dot Hill.

The family will receive friends at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home, 10129 FM 1097 W. Rd. Willis, TX 77318, on Tuesday, January 10, from 6:00 - 8:00pm. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, January 11, at 12:00 noon in the Chapel at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Willis, with interment following at Smith Memorial Park Cemetery adjacent to the funeral home.

Memorial gifts in honor of Jone's memory may be made to Father's House Family Worship Center, 115 Arapahoe Drive, Montgomery, TX 77316. You are invited to leave a written condolence to the family on our website at www.shmfh.com.


Published by The Courier of Montgomery County from Jan. 9 to Jan. 22, 2012.
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Memories and Condolences
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My deepest sympathy for your loss.

Leni Fisher

February 4, 2012

Dear Ruben, I am so sorry for your loss. Words can not express the hurt. Your Jone will always be a part of our lives till we get to heaven and see her again. I am sure she is holding my Gracie right now in God's glorious kingdom. Both healed and more alive than we are. Praise be to God for His tender mercies.

Anita Lovato

January 28, 2012

I am so sorry to learn of Jone's death. I knew her family at Wells Station Baptist Church in Memphis where I was part of the youth group where her family ministered. Jone was such a bubbly, happy younger friend.

Thresea S Wright

January 22, 2012

Jone always had a great winning attitude when she worked for my husband, Rick Crawford, in his State Farm agency. She taught me alot about fitness and eating healthy. She loved to eat pop corn sprinkled with wheat germ for lunch and munch on dried papaya! What a great lady! Her witness to others was strong and Rick and I know she is singing with the angels and strolling the streets of gold in Heaven!

Marsha Crawford

January 17, 2012

Jone's life and ours first came together in a restaurant in North Houston. She had such spirit and did such a great job serving our table that I offered her a job working for me at State Farm. She worked for me for many years and we worshiped at the same church where her brother, Dick was our minister of music. Marsha and I know what a tremendous gift she was to all of us that knew her well. I am confident she is with The Lord and we look forward to seeing her again in heaven! The world lost a treasure in Jone but heaven gained a masterpiece. God Bless, Rick and Marsha Crawford

Rick Crawford

January 17, 2012

The last time I saw Joni and Ruben was at my home in the Woodlands. They were so happy and Joni smile was joyful and full of life. We are going to miss you and we are so sorry for your loss.

Rudy and Lupita Justice

January 11, 2012

I worked with Jone at Garden Cafe restaurant in Conroe many years ago. I had not seen her recently but will never forget her strong spirit and the way she liked to mix some of her soups together like me. We both loved food the same way. I felt so accepted by her and just acceptance period. I can see her talking to me now and smiling and making me laugh. My son went to paintball with her son and they made him feel so welcome. I wont say goodby Joni because its Never goodby for people like us. See you next time and love you.

Teresa Benbenek

January 10, 2012

Whenever I saw Jone she always had a smile on her face. I know you will miss her very much and I am so sorry for your loss.

Tammy Trapp

January 10, 2012

My wife (Margaret) and I went to church with Jone and Reuben. Two of the finest people I've ever met. I am sad for Reuben, because I know how much they love each other and this is a difficult time. I am happy for Jone, because I know how much she loves the Lord, and there are no more difficulties. The main quality I knew about Jone was that whatever she was involved in, she was always about the Lord's business. I have no doubt where she is, I just wonder what it's like where she is singing now.

January 10, 2012

I knew Jone when she is growing up at Wells Station Baptist Church. I knew that God would use her in a marvelous way to bring Him glory with her life and He has. I thank Him that I knew her and I am so sad to hear of her passing. May God comfort your family and know that Jone was loved by many people you have never met.

Sheila Horton Phillips
Memphis, Tn

January 10, 2012

The loss of someone so close is difficult to bear. We share your grief.

Gene & Kathy Procenko

January 10, 2012

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