Francine Lane

With her infectious smile, Francine Lane gracefully danced up the stair steps to Heaven on Sunday, December 25th, 2022, at Ascension Via Christi St. Teresa Hospital in Wichita, Kansas while surrounded by family. Born June 10th, 1958, in Brooklyn, New York, she was the loving daughter of the late Raymond Lee and Oma-Armie Lee Edwards (Wright).

As a graduate of Vineland High School’s Class of 1976 (Vineland, New Jersey), Francine served as Captain of the Rowdy Rooster’s star-studded rifle drill team (she often claimed that no one came close to her rifle twirling speed!). Her sassy and classy walk captured the eye of Vineland High’s star tight end, the late Mark Keith Lane (Class of 1975). Mark and his “Frannycakes” married on December 9th, 1978. From their holy matrimony, Francine gave life to two sons, Mark Keith Lane Jr. (1979) and Troy LeVar Lane (1982).

As a Civil Service federal employee, Franny selflessly served military families and surrounding communities in a wide spectrum of capacities, while simultaneously nurturing her family as a military spouse in numerous locations such as Virginia, Germany, California and Texas.

Early in her federal service career, Franny cultivated her radiant love for children while serving as a Childcare Provider at the military Child Development Center. She absolutely adored a child’s delight and laughter when sparked by new discovery and imagination. During her second tour in Germany, she worked as a Youth Center Director, providing teen programming such as MC Hammer dance-offs and free ice slushes to all of the local pre-teens after school. She was everyone’s second mom, auntie or sister and every child was an extension of her family.

Relocating to Killeen, Texas in 1991, Francine changed occupations and served as a Fort Hood Switchboard Operator for more than a decade. She often talked about her adventures working with great people such as Ms. Katie Washington. While living in Killeen, Francine cultivated deeply rich relationships within many facets of the community. She was a staple figure at Faith Temple Church, where she met her life-long faith leaders, Pastors Scott and Marsha Hoxworth. Because of her passion for continued learning and exploration, Francine taught herself sign language and ultimately became conversationally fluent. She used her gift to sign the word of God to churchgoers and became the founding member of “Signs of Love,” a faith-based sign language group at Faith Point Church, teaching children the power of sign language while spreading the love of God.

Later in her career, Francine transferred to the Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital in Temple, Texas. Following a very difficult decision, the family relocated to Benbrook, Texas, where she served as a Receptionist within the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy department at the Fort Worth VA hospital until her retirement in 2019, culminating 33 years of service to our nation.

For those who knew and loved Francine, she was an extraordinary woman! A woman described by many as having an angelic smile and a radiant energy of love that she could not keep to herself, instead she poured her love into everyone and everything she encountered. Her siblings vividly reflect on her love for movies, sharing funny internet videos (curated to each family member’s taste), strong passion for working with her hands, and being creative. Their energic sister absolutely loved to laugh and have fun! She was a great listener who would do anything to help her friends and family in need, because she always saw the good in people. Her sons would describe her as the “mom on the block,” to all of their childhood friends. She was a go-getter to the core and would not settle for secondary effort. Her passion for travel, music, dance, and continued learning was expressed through her interactions with

her grandkids. She joined them on movie sets, recitals, nature hikes, football games and even taught them how to play the ukulele. Francine’s love for her grandbabies was the centerpiece of her world.

She gave her all to those she loved and rejoined the love of her life on Christmas Day. May they dance (and fish) throughout eternity.

Francine was preceded in death by her husband Mark Keith Lane Sr., and granddaughter Zayda Lane. She is survived by her two sons, daughters-in-law Laquilla (Dunklin) Lane and Whitney (Bailey-Gaines) Lane, grandchildren Calah Lane, Caeli-Rose Lane, Georgia Lane, Mark Lane III, and August Lane. In addition, she is survived by her sisters Cheryl Parris (Clinton Sr.), Amy Edwards Moumin (Ahmed), and her brother Clifford Shelton.

Please visit Francine Lane's Event Page:

https://facebook.com/events/s/celebrating-the-life-of-franci/530166755739329/