Francine Louise Jennings

On September 25, 1945 an ANGEL was born to Katy Paty Porter and Tommy Smith in Chicago, IL at Cook County Hospital. Francine L. affectionally known as “Frankie”, was the first born of five children. Both parents, step parents, two siblings, Eneice Riggens and Marvin Doyle, one daughter Angela Gist, one granddaughter Vickii’ Tines and her husband, Marvin Jennings, proceeded her in death.

At an early age, Francine was baptized and accepted Christ under the direction of Elder Blair T. Hunt of the Mississippi Blvd Christian Disciple of Christ. At the age of ten, she moved to Memphis, Tennessee and attended Booker T. Washington High School., where she joined the majorette team and loved it!

With Francine’s love of dancing, people and music, she was well known as “the hostess with the moistest” for many years at several establishments in the Chicagoland area. She was also famous for her infamous “potato salad”, you aint had no potato salad until you had MAMA’s!! Many always wanted to know her secrets…. IT WAS ALWAYS IN THE HANDS….. She also enjoyed traveling, especially by train to her beloved Mississippi.

Francine IS a Classy, Jazzy and well-dressed woman, when she entered the room, EVERYONE knew she had arrived. She was the Life of the Party, because She Did It Her Way…. Hair Done, Nails Done, EVERYTHING DID!!! She was the “Queen of Bling” before “bling” was even a thing.

In 1988, Francine began her career at Ford Motor Company, where she met and married Marvin Jennings in 1993 and after twenty years of service, she retired.

Our Beloved Mother was called home on July, 19, 2021, with her family by her bedside. She put up a good fight despite, many health issues, even in the heart of the pandemic, she was NOT affected!

Her legacy will live on through those who had the privilege to cross her path. Rest now “Frankie”, your fight is over, you fought a good fight. Your next journey will be in paradise!

She leaves to cherish her memory: her children; Carlotta (Tracy), Dawn (Donald), Anthony (Rita) and Rashaan. Her siblings; Freddy (Denise), Crandall (Theresa), Denise, LaDonna (Wardell) and Ronald (Angie). Ten grandchildren, La-Kisha, Shannon, Kathryn, Erica, ToniShante, John, Franklin, Nicholas, Samantha and Sean. Six great grandchildren, Ke’Miya, Javani, Jada, Khmari, Jamilah, Jakemah and a host of other loving family and friends.

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