Frances B. Dinkes, aka (Tootsie/Frannie/Fran), was born on September 20, 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio to Beatrice and Alvin Hinton.

Frances spent the majority of her life in Cleveland where she attended John Hay High School and received her secondary education at Tri – C University. She had a very broad career path that included The United States Post Office, Payroll Supervisor with The Plain Dealer newspaper, and a Tax Auditor with the United States Internal Revenue Service. Independently she was a Notary, Real Estate agent with property ownership and Tax Preparer.

Fran was known for her sharp intellectual mind and quick-witted personality. She was a collector of porcelain dolls, “Capo di Monte” flowers and figurines and had a pallet for the finer things in life. She was a skilled seamstress with her own personal label “Designed by Frances”. Fran was a very classy dresser ensuring all her outfits were meticulously color coordinated and fashioned.

In her younger days, Fran loved to groove to Al Green, Prince, and Barry White. She also enjoyed taking surprise trips with her immediate family to visit extended family in Chicago. She had a strikingly gorgeous appearance, and her mind was sharp as a tack even upon her passing. During her driving days she loved to cross town in her Grand Prix then later her white Cadillac El-Dorado, which she still owns to this day. She even managed to get her driver’s license renewed at the age of 79.

At 82, Frances was technically savvy, enjoyed her online Avatar adventures and was a frequent Facebook user. She loved taking selfies and found joy in snapping unexpected pictures of her family and editing them. She was a night owl, and you always knew she would be up and willing to talk if you needed encouragement, advice, or a listening ear.

Even though poised and serious, Frances could be very comical with a hearty laugh. She often abbreviated her messages as “Screams” and we all knew what she meant. Fran had a love for writing poems and mentoring young women that crossed her path. She had a wise way of shooting straight from the hip and was raw and authentic when giving advice or her opinion.

Frances had an overwhelming amount of love for her two sons Stuart and Julius. No matter how old they became, those were her babies. Stuart, her oldest son, had a love for her that was quiet, soft, and protective. Stuart lived above his mother and was often her caregiver. While the youngest son Julius, had a love for her that was witty, playful and he certainly kept her on her toes. They kept her up to date on the latest technology by building her computers custom to fit her needs. They both lovingly called her “Ma” and she referred to them as her “baby cats”… Even the day before her transition she verbalized that she was happy that both her sons had “special people in their lives” to look after them.

Frances had a unique precious bond with her two sisters Joann and Cynthia, also known as “The Three-Fold Cord”. They were interchangeably big sister, middle sister and little sister and had a mental bond so close that they frequently purchased identical items unbeknownst to the others.

Fran and JoAnn spent over 48 years together sharing the joys of sisterhood, motherhood, and the rhythms of life. During their younger years, they, with their brother Jeffrey, would laugh heartily, have fun and enjoy the night life. In their latter years Jo Ann would sometimes spend the night at Fran’s home enjoying good food, laughing, watching Fran’s favorite program 90-day Fiancé and talking about the Bible and their relationship with the Lord.

When mobile, Fran enjoyed visiting Cynthia in Chicago, which included enjoying the sites of the city, barbecuing, and listening to good music in the backyard of their family home and eating the good food of the “Windy City”. While RV camping, they spent time chatting around the crackling campfire about life and taking mini road trips to the casino hoping for that big win. They often referred to themselves as “Alike and The Same” and how their miraculous similarity had to be from God.

In her early 60’s Frances became critically ill and was not expected to survive. However, she did survive, and her doctors said it was amazing, but many of us knew it was a miracle and blessing from God! Shortly thereafter, she gave her life to Christ. During this time both JoAnn and Cynthia became her faithful caregivers and remained in that role for over 21 years and stuck closely by her side even until the end.

Frances was a faithful member of the Apostolic Church of the Living God, which she lovingly called “Ohio Street”. She enjoyed frequent visits and conversations with her Pastor Jerry M. Davis. When she was physically able, she attended in person services and would often attend the services online thereafter.

On December 19th, at the blessed age of 82, Fran made a peaceful transition into Glory and is awaiting the return of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Preceding her in death were her parents Alvin and Beatrice, daughter Bridgette Dinkes, 3 brothers (Alvin Jr, Michael and Jeffery), her late husband’s Sonny Dinkes and Larry Woolfolk and her cousin Carol Hinnant. She also leaves to cherish her memory, 2 sons Stuart Alvin Dinkes and Julius Marcel Dinkes, 2 sisters JoAnn Madison (Marty) and Cynthia Lynn Hinton, 7 grandchildren (Jonathan, Benjamin, Bethany, Caleb, Kelly, Megan and Lauren) and 4 great grandchildren (Jon Jon, Summer, Kenzley and Kennedy), 1 nephew Joseph Dawson, 2 nieces Jolana Lynn Dawson, Brittany Elise Young and her loving caregiver (who she saw as a daughter) Nina Starr. She will be greatly missed by her dear friend Willie that called to pray for her and tell her what was on Turner Classic Movies everyday, her dear caretaker Tonya, and her other caretaker Sarah, who helped nurse Fran back to health and became her lifelong friend, and a host of great and great-great nephews, nieces, family, and friends.

The day before Francis died, she spoke with each member of her family as she knew them in life whether serious and devoted or playful and loving. Just as Francis taught us how to live, she taught us how to die as she gracefully transitioned into the hands of God bravely without fuss or fear.

” Ma, Frannie, Auntie, TT, Nana” our lives will never be the same without you. You will be greatly missed, always loved but never forgotten…