Frankie Ellen Woods

Frankie Ellen Woods was born on January 16, 1928, in DeQueen, Arkansas. She passed away peacefully in her Dinuba home on January 2nd, 2026, at the age of 97. She was surrounded by her loving family. She was the only child of Robert Franklin Manning and Willie Idale Manning. She attended schools in DeQueen, AR, and Broken Bow, OK. Frankie moved to Orosi, CA, when she was 16 – following what she considered to be her adoptive family who had moved to California three years, prior. She worked in their store in Orosi, and was considered another daughter. Her “dad” Chatham died about a month after her arrival to California, and the family moved into Dinuba. Frankie met Stanley Woods in Dinuba, and they were married on March 21, 1947. They were co-owners of the Haston’s Drive-in in Dinuba. Frankie went on to work at Mode-O-Day, and later became a stay-at-home mom when she became pregnant with her son, Stan II. She returned to the work-force in 1971 when her children were older and in school. She worked as a cook for the Dinuba Unified School District, until she retired in 1986.

Frankie dedicated her life to her family, but was also involved in the community. Her faith was very important to her and she was active in church activities, including having taught at Sunday School for many years. She was active in school activities when her children were in school, such as PTA, fundraising, and chaperoning events. She was active in the VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries.

Because of her selfless donation of time and energy to others, she was truly a pillar of the Dinuba community and will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

Frankie is survived by her son Stanley Woods II and wife Rose of Fresno, CA, her daughter Katherine Gillen of Dinuba, CA, her granddaughter Giselle Jones and husband CJ of Dinuba, CA, a grandson Stanley Woods III of Woburn, MA, a grandson Grant Gillen and wife Alexandria of Leland, NC, and her only great-grandchild Kendall Jones of Dinuba, CA.

Frankie was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Stanley Woods, her mother Willie Manning, her father “Frank” Manning, her adoptive mother Rhoda Biggers, her “sisters” Babe Snyder, Bennie Blake, and Ernestine Young, and her son-in-law Gary Gillen.

A Viewing will be held at Dopkins Funeral Chapel on January 13, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A funeral will be held at 10:00 am on January 14, 2026, at The Dinuba Church of Christ, followed by a graveside service at Smith Mountain Cemetery, Dinuba.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to Kaweah Health Hospice, Visalia, or the Luther Philippine Missionary work (c/o: Highland Church of Christ, 400 N. Houston Levee Road, Cordova, TN, 38018).