Mary Janell (Jill) Franks, 77 of Bay City, Texas went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born February 3, 1947, in Nacogdoches, Texas to Henry Ferman and Edna Lee Franks. Janell graduated from Bay City High School in the class of 1965 with a Bachelor of Arts & Education from Stephen F. Austin State University. She married Wayne Stephens of Bay City, Texas on December 22, 1967, and they had two children, Rachel, and Ryan. Upon graduating from college, Ms. Franks taught Art, ESL, and English in Bay City for over many  years. Janell later ran two businesses: real estate rentals and the Golden ‘T’ bar in Bay City until 1989 when she returned to East Texas to help care for her parents and teach at Timpson ISD.  In 2018 she moved to Elkhart, Texas where she created “an ancestral “home (so designated by her grandson) where she enjoyed sharing life with her two dogs, Jake and Peaches, and her children and grandchildren.

Ms. Franks was a woman of many talents: creating and gifting beautiful works of art; giving of herself when family or friends needed help, her passionate love of family, and devotion to her students.

Janell was a loving mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend. She is survived by her daughter, Rachel Lynn Francois and husband Chad of Jarrell; her son, Ryan Dow Stephens and wife, Tracy of Seguin; brother, K. Edward Franks and wife, Francesca of Cleveland; her sister, Kathy Sue (Franks) Cannon and husband, Lawson McElvy (Mackie) Cannon of Seabrook; and grandchildren, Connor Stephens, Collin Stephens, and Teagan Francois; along with numerous nieces, nephews and a circle of dear lifelong friends.

There will be a memorial for Janell on Saturday May 18th, 2024 from 11am-1pm at First Methodist Church, 2300 Ave H, Bay City TX 77414.  If you would like to send flowers, please let the florist know the church is closed on Fridays so to coordinate delivery with the church, (979) 245-4627.