Billie Francine Conerly

Funeral services will be held for Francine Boggan Conerly Friday, May 3 at the First Baptist Church in downtown Jackson. Visitation is from 12:30 to 2:00pm. Funeral services will be 2:00pm at the church. Burial will follow at Parkway Memorial Cemetery in Ridgeland, MS. Ms. Conerly died following a brief illness at a local hospital. She was 87 years old. Ms. Conerly worked in the office of the Mississippi insurance Commissioner before her employment at deposit Guaranty Bank where she was the administrative assistant to two successive chairmen of the board, Herman Hines and Warren Hood. In that position at Mississippi’s largest bank, she was involved with a lot of notable people in local, state and federal politics. She was often in the presence of Mississippi governors, state representatives, and federal politicians, first Lady Nancy Reagan, and author John Grisham. She was instrumental in receiving calls from the White House and arranging the connection to Mr. Hood. She worked with the White House staff during visits to Jackson by Nancy Reagan. She had secret Service clearance and could move about freely among the entourage that comes with White House officials. She was awarded a special “thank you” pin with a presidential seal on it, for her assistance. She often accepted invitations to be volunteer hostess at special events at the Governor’s mansion, just across the street from the bank. She has photos of her with Nancy Reagan at a reception for her at the mansion. Letters from the First Lady on White House stationary are also among her treasured memorabilia. Her strong commitment “to enhance the lives of others,” led her to do volunteer work as a hairdresser seven years at a nursing home, several years of volunteer work at a retirement community. And as part of her duties at the Bank, she traveled as the host with groups of senior citizens taking advantage of the bank’s guaranty Gold travel specials to Germany, Austria, France, Italy, The Greek Aisles, Hong Kong China, Israel, Egypt, Spain and Hungary. She visited Oberammergau, Germany four times to attend the renowned Passion Play, including, including a special 350th anniversary performance in 2000. Francine loved to cook and on a weekly basis she took her friends and relatives her famous Morning Glory muffins or her fresh coconut cake. She volunteered every Monday to help serve lunch at her church, First Baptist in Jackson. She worked tirelessly at the Bond Home, an assisted living facility. She helped with their fundraising, decorated for special occasions, and served anywhere she was needed. She attended many plays, concerts, and symphonies, and was very faithful to her church. Several giant exhibits have come to Jackson and she had always volunteered for them She never wanted recognition for her good deeds. She was a great inspiration to many people. Francine is survived by her son, Joseph Kvaternik; grandchildren, Lindsay Kvaternik and Todd Polk and Kellie Kvaternik; great-grandson Boggan Polk: sister, Virginia Cruse; brother, Jack Boggan; and Delorise Byargeon, and David Byargeon.