January 10, 1938 – September 6, 2024

Chickasha, OK

On January 10, 1938, in Oklahoma City, OK Francine Ann Hinton Gardner was born to Robert E. and Pauline F. Hinton. Fran grew up in Chickasha and was a proud Chickasha Chick.  Following high school, she married Burton L. Ginn. After living in Texas and Colorado, they settled in Oklahoma.  Fran enjoyed her life as a homemaker and mother.  She taught Sunday School and was a Girl Scout troop leader.  She loved the annual family camping trips to Dinner Station, Colorado.  Throughout the years, she was a foster mom to numerous infants and toddlers in the foster care system.  Whether they stayed a few months or a few years, she loved every one of those babies.  

She married Kent F. Gardner and they resided in Chickasha.  They enjoyed traveling in the travel trailer, but their pride and joy was spending time on their houseboat, The Irish Mist.  The family will always recall the unique and wonderful scent of the gifts from her house.  We immediately knew a gift was from her house just because of the lovely smell.  Her granddaughter, Kristi, loved that Fran always signed her cards and letters “from Grandma & Grandpa Okie,” because they were Kristi’s Oklahoma grandparents. Kristi also loved snooping around their camping trailer.  Even though Fran was a little persnickety about it, somehow Kristi got away with looking through the cabinets and drawers.

Fran went to be with the Lord on September 6, 2024.  She will forever be missed by her family and friends.  We are grateful for the time spent with her and for the shared memories.  The family would like to thank the Brookdale Assisted Living staff, Physician Housecalls, as well as Lifeline Hospice for their excellent care and compassion for Fran.

Fran is survived by:  daughters Brenda Suttle and husband Greg of Oklahoma City, OK; Linda Boatner and husband Skip of Springfield, MO; and LeeAnn McRee and husband Clay of Owasso, OK; granddaughters Kristi Pope and husband Tyler of Clever, MO; and Jessica Dee of Hilo, HI; great-granddaughters Nora, Hazel, and Olive Pope of Clever, MO; brother Bob Hinton and wife Betty of Chickasha, OK; niece Susan Parr and husband Lance of Chickasha, OK; nephew Gary Hinton of Chickasha, OK; as well as many cousins and grand nieces and nephews.

Fran was preceded in death by daughter Sharon Curtis, husband Burton Ginn, husband Kent Gardner, and her parents Bob and Pauline Hinton. 

A private interment will be in Fairlawn Cemetery under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home.