Frances Joyce Lemons

Frances Joyce Lemons, 77, passed away on Saturday, May 10, 2025, following a brief illness. Born June 11, 1947, in Houston, Texas, Frances was the beloved daughter of the late Cullen Chester Wheeler and Coye Dunham Wheeler. She was preceded in death by her two brothers, Truman Davis Wheeler and Travis Wayne Wheeler.

Frances was one of seven siblings and is lovingly remembered by her surviving brother James Wheeler and sisters Cora Wheeler and Katherine Wheeler all of Quitman, Texas, and sister Janice Ramey of Winnsboro Texas.

She is survived by her devoted daughter, Rhonda Renee Lemons Browning of Tyler, Texas, and four beloved grandchildren: Miranda Browning of Longview, Texas; Sara Browning – Miller of Daingerfield, Texas; Noah Browning of Brownsboro, Texas; and Allison Browning of Hawkins, Texas. She also leaves behind eight cherished great-grandchildren: Ethan and Olivia Latham; Copeland, Aurora and Ariel Miller; Harley and Walker Browning; and Krew Martinez.

Frances spent much of her early life in Cartwright, Texas, before moving to Quitman, where she graduated from Quitman High School in 1965. Afterward, she moved to Dallas and worked as a waitress before returning to Quitman to begin her lifelong career in healthcare. She served for many years at The Quitman Nursing Home as a CNA and later earned her Medication Aide license. Frances also provided home health care, including for family members, always giving of herself with compassion and grace.

In 1997, she moved to Colorado with her daughter and grandchildren, continuing her work in elder care before returning to Texas in 2005. Frances officially retired in 2012 after more than 40 years of selfless service. Her dedication to caring for others defined her life and left a lasting impact on everyone she helped.

Known affectionately as "Granny," she played an essential role in raising her grandchildren and supporting her family in countless ways – such as driving kids to school and games, attending events, and always offering unconditional love. Many of her grandchildren’s friends grew to love her as their own and called her “Granny” as well.

Frances enjoyed life’s simple pleasures—watching Westerns, game shows, and baseball, and putting puzzles together. She especially cherished time spent watching her daughter play sports growing up and was proud to serve as a Girl Scout leader during those early years, helping sell more than a few boxes of cookies. Her greatest happiness, however, came from seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who would always bring a smile to her face.

Her warmth, strength, and endless generosity will be deeply missed, but her legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Lowe-Gardner Funerals & Cremations in Quitman, Texas.