Helen C. Francis

May 22, 1922 - August 29, 2022

Graveside service for Helen will be at 1:00 PM Friday, September 2, 2022 at Resthaven Memory Gardens, 500 SW 104th Street, Oklahoma City, OK.

Helen Corine Francis was born 100 years ago on May 22, 1922 in Tuttle, OK to Joe and Minnie Mae (Powell) Headrick and died peacefully in her sleep on August 29, 2022.

Helen was raised and attended school in Chickasha, OK where she met and married Joseph Henry Francis. Joe and Helen were parents to one son, Larry, born in the baby boom after Joe returned from serving as an Army engineer in India in World War II. The family lived in Ardmore, OK until moving to Oklahoma City in 1966. Helen spent her career working for Southwestern Bell Telephone and retired in 1985 after 30 years as a secretary, mostly in risk management.

Helen lived as a widow for 30 years after Joe's death. She was also preceded in death by her sister, June Borden, and her son, Larry. She is survived by her two granddaughters: Aaron and husband John Adel, and Cayce and husband Billy Dunning. She will also be missed by her three great-grandsons: Jake, Will, and Luke Adel.

Growing up during the Great Depression and working for so many years in risk management made Helen gritty, cautious, sensible, and frugal. If you knew Helen, you'll remember her as a tiny, mighty, fiercely independent gal who was also quick to open her home to care for her mom for several years and provide a place for Aaron to live during summers while she was in college at OU.

While Helen would be the first to tell you that homemaking wasn't her passion, she excelled at home-management: living simply, staying organized, and planning for the future. As a result, she was able to give generously, especially to her family, and still provide for herself until the very end of her long life. Helen was also industrious. She earned her real estate license after retiring from Southwestern Bell and used it to purchase and manage several properties in her old hometowns of Chickasha and Ardmore.

Helen was great at loving people in practical ways. Her wish was that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the charity of your choice. If you don't have a charity in mind, The Bucket Ministry of Rockwall, TX would be blessed by your memorial gift.