Patricia Jeanne' Franks, 47

Patricia Jeanne' Franks, 47, resided in Oakley, Calif., and on May 30, 2009, she "joined her loved ones in Heaven." Jeanne' lost her 13-year battle from complications with many abdominal problems. Jeanne' left these problems behind from her home.

On Sept. 8, 1961, Louis and Charlotte Brown were blessed with the birth of Patricia Jeanne' Brown in Oakland, Calif. Louis Brown Jr. originally was from Whitefish and Charlotte, whose maiden name was Tapia, was from Questa, N.M. She later moved to Oakland, where she met Louis.

Jeanne' always went by her middle name, pronounced Janay, which led to many other affectionate names, such as J, Nay, Nay Nay, PJ, Aunt J and Auntie Nay. Jeanne' was raised in Hayward, Calif., along with her brothers, Kenneth and Jonathon. The stories of how her brothers treated her were too numerous to pick out. For example, there was unwanted hair cutting, a jacket set on fire, and her being spoiled, but they loved each other first and foremost.

Jeanne' graduated from Tennyson High School and Chabot Junior College in Hayward, Calif. Jeanne' had friends everywhere she went, and all will miss her.

On Nov. 17, 1979, Jeanne' married Darrell Franks in Hayward, and they both had been living in Union City, Calif. They were blessed with two sons, Christopher Allen on Sept. 2, 1981, and James "Jimmy" Louis on Aug. 15, 1983. Over the years, Jeanne' recalled summers and trips to Montana with the desire to raise her family there.

During her working career, Jeanne' was a baker and cake decorator, secretary, day-care provider, assistant manager at a department store, admissions clerk for two hospitals in the emergency room, a surgery scheduling admissions clerk, medical transcriptionist, but her highest-priority job was mother and wife.

Jeanne' is survived by her father, Louis Brown Jr., of Bigfork; her grandmother, Velma Brown, of Kalispell; her uncle James and aunt Peggy of Rexford; her aunt Patricia Stevens of Eureka; her aunt and best friend, Susan; her uncle Mike Reed of Kalispell; 10 cousins, Robin, Kent, Scott, Britt, Tanya, Heidi, Misty, Tony, Johna, and Nick; stepbrother, Rick Hamilton, and his spouse, Deborah, of Bigfork; and Daniel Hamilton of Spokane.

From Darrell's side of the huge family Jeanne' married into, she leaves behind her father- and mother-in-law, James and Jo Rita Franks, of Meridian, Idaho; two sisters-in-law, Pamela Jo and Carole Sue; four nephews, two nieces, and five great-nephews and great-nieces. From Darrell's family her closest relationships were with her aunt Doris and uncle Charles Callison of Oakley, Calif., and her aunt Joyce and uncle Alvin Elliott of Petaluma, Calif.

Her husband's families, Franks and Gilbert, and hundreds of uncles, aunts, and cousins have been blessed to know her.

Those who have loved Jeanne' here with us and "have also left us for a spot in Heaven" are her mother, Charlotte Brown; older brother, Kenneth Brown, of San Leandro, Calif.; her younger brother, Jonathon Brown, of Hayward, Calif.; her grandfather, Louis "Louie" Brown Sr., whom she cherished with all her heart; great-grandmothers, Estella Mae Dunn and Cora Butts; uncles, Danny and Steven Brown; and her aunt, Nancy Thumma.

A memorial service held July 11 at the First Baptist Church in Eureka was presided over by Rev. Pat Lovett. The eulogy was given by Darrell's father, Rev. James Franks, as well as the graveside service. The memorial service was followed by a short reception provided by the women of the church that was very much appreciated. Jeanne's final resting place is at Tobacco Valley Cemetery, where she was blessed to be placed immediately next her grandpa, Louie.

This paid obituary is being run again at the request of the family.