Frances Lara Stinnett

Surrounded by her husband, Melvin, and her three children, Erik, Lara and Sarah, she was able to tell them “I love you” one more time. Though her family is deeply saddened and will miss her immensely, they know she is finally getting her wish of being reunited with her “mama”, who passed away when she was only 33 years old.

“Lita/Cici” was born January 29, 1943, in Artesia, New Mexico, to Jose Lara and Paula Delgado Lara, where she learned the value of hard work at a very early age. As the third-youngest of 14 children (10 brothers and 3 sisters), Frances experienced adult responsibilities before she was even a teenager, working the cotton fields from dawn till dusk with the rest of her family.

In 1968, she met the love of her life at the university “bible chair”, a church group for singles attending the university, and they were married on August 10, 1968, just six months after meeting. Frances had three children, starting in 1972, and she bragged about them to whoever would listen; whether it was their accomplishments at church, at school, or on the athletic field, they were her pride and joy.

Her husband, Mel, was active duty Air Force while her children were still young, which called for their family to change residences every couple of years... often times requiring a move to a different country. Frances began her own teaching career right after college in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and taught for different elementary schools all over the country, including North Carolina, Alabama, and even overseas in Germany. She concluded her teaching career in Oklahoma, working for Life Christian, JGI, and Nicoma Park before she retired in 2000. While she truly enjoyed making a difference in the lives of elementary students, her true reward came from being a Christian wife, mother and grandmother.

She worshiped her Lord at Del City church of Christ in the final years of her life, but raised her kids while attending Eastside Church of Christ in Midwest City. Her life’s mission was to get her family to heaven, and she will always be remembered for reminding us all to give thanks to our heavenly Father for all we have. “THANKS TO GOD!!” and “LORD WILLING!!” punctuated so many of her sentences.

Frances is survived by her loving husband of 45 years: Melvin, her three children: Erik Stinnett and his wife Susanna; Lara Davis and her husband Craig; and Sarah Gigstad and her husband Jeff; grandchildren Caleb, Hannah Mae, Noah, Caden, Levi, and Faith; and step-grandchildren Jacob and Rebecca. She is also survived by her sisters Eva Gonzalez, and Delores Chavez (husband Gilbert); and brothers Adolfo Lara and wife Kathy, and Steve Lara and wife Elly.

I love you and miss you, babe. We love you Mommy. We love you Lita/Cici. May your soul rest in the peace and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. A “celebration of life” will be held Friday morning, September 27, at 10:00 am at the Del City Church of Christ, 1901 Vickie Drive, Del City, Oklahoma 73115. Visitation with the family will be held on Thursday, September 26, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the chapel at Del City Church of Christ.