Justina Mae Francis

Justina Mae Francis, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on March 12th, 2025. She was born on December 23, 1962, in Claremore, Oklahoma to Geneva and David Hogshooter.

Justina’s life revolved around her family and grandkids. She loved attending her son “Little Chris's” basketball games alongside her husband Chris, mother Geneva, her father David, her sister-in-law, Karen Henson, and her nephew, Cody Henson. Justina also enjoyed her work as a cook at Kahoot’s, where she cherished the friendships, she formed within the community. Everyone knew of Tina from either cheering her kids on at games, or cooking at Kahoot’s, she took both jobs seriously. She loved dressing up, putting her jewelry on and out the door to basketball games, school plays, graduations, family get togethers, bingo/casinos or to work.

Justina retired living in the Deep South with her husband “Big” Chris, daughter Ashley, Son-in-law Will and her two grandsons Gavin and Landon Ritchie. Justina thrived in the simple pleasures of life. She found joy in trips to the dollar store for bargains and visits to Walmart to buy feed for their squirrels and chickens. She would stay up late to watch her Son “Little Chris’s” basketball games or get up early and watch her grandchild Zayden play baseball. March seemed to be her favorite month, no matter the team, she was glued to the television watching all levels of basketball, but her favorite team was always the one her son was on or coaching.

One of her greatest joys came from spending time with her husband, "Big Chris." Whether they were laughing together at home, going fishing, looking for arrowheads, or completing puzzles, their bond was built on love and laughter. Justina cherished family gatherings, especially during Christmas and Thanksgiving, when all her children and grandchildren were together under one roof. She loved cooking for her family, and she loved eating pickles for a midday snack on a hot day.

A significant milestone in her life was her successful marriage of 34 years to Christopher Taylor Francis of Picayune, Mississippi. Together, they raised their two children, “Little Chris” and Ashley Dawn Ritchie. Justina was incredibly proud of her grandchildren: William Gavin Ritchie, Landon Christopher Ritchie, Zayden Christopher Francis, Zion Carter Francis, and Zaxston Ugene-Steven Francis. She was known for attending every sporting event, play, and graduation she could. She had the joy of walking both her children down the aisle, witnessing two grandchildren graduating High school and being here for the birth of each of her grandchildren. She had the experience of seeing her son play in college at Rogers State University and then followed him around during his coaching journey.

Justina is survived by her husband, Christopher Taylor Francis Picayune, MS; her daughter, Ashley Dawn Ritchie, husband William Ritchie, their two sons, Gavin and Landon Ritchie, of Picayune Ms.; her son, Christopher Wayne Francis, wife Sevie Francis, their three children Zayden, Zion and Zaxston Francis of Chadron NE; her brother, Dewayne Hogshooter and wife Terri of Holdenville, Oklahoma; nephew Frankie Hogshooter and family of Holdenville, Oklahoma; sister-in-law Juanita (Muggs) Hogshooter; niece Tiffany Hogshooter; nephew Logan Hogshooter of Eucha OK; brother-in-law Bobby Francis and nephew Bryce of Ketchum OK; sister-in-law Karen Henson and brother-in-law Ricky Henson, both of Spavinaw; and nephews Eric Henson and family from Adair OK; and Cody Henson and family from Langley, Oklahoma.