Frances Jean Joiner

Our precious mother, Frances Jean Joiner, went home peacefully to our Lord on Monday, December 20, 2021. She was joyful, kind, and ever mindful of the Lord and her family; She prayed her thankfulness at every family gathering, and they were frequent.

Beautiful Frances Jean drew her first breath on September 27, 1930, in Bristow, Oklahoma, having been born to Ralph and Patty Brentlinger. Soon after, they moved to Sapulpa, Oklahoma where she grew up with brothers Wallace and John Allen. Frances graduated from Sapulpa High School in 1948 before attending Tulsa University to take business classes that would prepare her for a career in oil and gas and as a legal secretary. She married Denver Clarence Grigsby (deceased in 1988) in 1949 and had a son, Michael, in 1951. She later married Robert B. Joiner (deceased in 1987) in Denver, Colorado in 1954 and had a son, Robert B. Joiner Jr. Frances’ family moved to Wichita, KS in 1958 and then to Amarillo, Texas in 1964, where she would continue her work as a legal secretary for the firm of Gibson, Ochsner, and Adkins then retire in 1993 after 29 years as secretary to S. Tom Morris.

She was an avid and faithful television member of First Baptist Church, always looking forward to Sunday service from her living room recliner, singing the hymns, admiring the musicians, and enjoying Pastor Howie Batson’s weekly message of love and hope given through Jesus Christ. She was visited in hospice by Dr. Batson and our family will be ever grateful for his pastorship to her.

Mom had many interests and activities which she eagerly pursued during her years in Amarillo. She was a member of Sharing Hope Ministries, Prarie Flowers Club, and Potter County Extension Club. She also was involved in her community of Brook Place and we have recently learned that neighbors there loved walking by and receiving one of Frances’ big beautiful smiles as she was out admiring the sky or the passersby. “Have you ever seen a sky so blue?”, was a question she asked many times over the last several years, usually from her well loved swing. Frances had weekly china painting class for many years as well as a lifelong interest in sewing, for which she was very skilled. She also spent much time engaging in activities that connected her with those she loved. For that, we are each filled with gratitude.

Those who had the privilege of knowing her deeply would all agree that she was a well of love and goodness, a giver of hugs and bright smiles, a strong spirit that esteemed and expected excellence and integrity, and a maintainer of a cookie cabinet that never was found empty. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She was and will forever be more than any compilation of words could adequately reflect.

She was preceded in death by her brothers Wallace Brentlinger and John Allen Brentlinger, whom she loved deeply, missed fiercely, and enjoyed closeness with throughout their lives. She also was preceded in death by her dear friend Leo Caiafa.

Survivors include Frances’ two sons Michael B. Grigsby of Amarillo, Texas and Robert B Joiner and wife Susan of Dallas, Texas; five grandchildren: Robin Grigsby Owens and husband Erin of Castle Rock, Co, Sarah Grigsby Beukelman and husband Jared of Amarillo, Texas, Sean Grigsby of Amarillo, Texas, Cole Joiner of Dallas, Texas, Emily Joiner Hughes and husband Ben of Dallas, Texas; and five great grandchildren: Duncan, Evan, and Abby Owens of Castle Rock, Colorado and Samuel Griggs and Gus Elliott Beukelman of Amarillo, Texas; nephews: Bill Brentlinger of Kansas City, KS and John Ralph Brentlinger of St. Crioux, US Virgin Islands; Sandra Mandel, widow of Frances’ brother John Allen, as well as extended family and many friends.

Memorial Services will be held on Friday, February 11, 2022 at 1pm in the First Baptist Church Original Chapel, 1208 S. Tyler with Dr. Howard K Batson presiding.