Fran Debaillon Granger, age 67 passed away peacefully on Wednesday, the 3rd of August 2016, surrounded by her family. Fran’s courageous battle with cancer exemplified her unwavering strength and strong Catholic faith. Her simplistic and unselfish approach to life made her a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.
Fran was born on the 30th of November 1948, in Lafayette, Louisiana to Thomas “Tom” Debaillon and Frances Ritchey Debaillon. She attended and graduated from high school at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau, and thereafter attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette (ULL), graduating with a BS in Medical Record Administration. It was at ULL that Fran met her husband of 46 years, Weldon Granger. After graduation from UL Fran joined her husband in Texas City where his employment at Monsanto Chemical Company led her to her professional certification as a Medical Record Librarian at John Sealy in Galveston, Texas. Her professional career moved to Houston when her husband attended law school as she became the administrator of medical records at Diagnostic Clinic of Houston.Fran’s marriage to Weldon Granger ended her professional career, by choice, for a value that she cherished without excuse, Motherhood.
Fran’s friendships in her move to Houston began with her work as a member of the Houston Junior Forum. Her true calling, to anyone who knew her, involved a life long commitment to those less privileged and in need of a hand up or, at times, hard love. In the last 30 years after her children went off to college, her involvement in several community endeavors brought her joy and satisfaction. For many years she worked at the St. Michael clothing drive, which in turn led her to Dress for Success, its mission dedicated to providing under privileged women with the clothing and training necessary to interview and obtain employment. At Dress for Success, Fran was happy working at the warehouse moving and categorizing donated clothing for the organization.
Her introduction to Bridges to Life, a prison ministry founded by John Sage, truly gave her a voice. Fran was an unassuming and shy person, never valuing material things nor judging a person by their status or material possessions. It was behind the bars of various prisons that she helped facilitate groups and as she related, “Moved Out of Her Box” to speak out and have a voice with tough love, as well as giving hope to those who had little.
Fran joined her family in supporting Guide Dogs of America, of Sylmar, California, a 68 year old organization which provides Seeing Eye Dogs at no cost to those who are vision impaired.
It is important to note that all of these contributions were without fanfare and without need for acclaim or credit by Fran. She was one who preferred not to be noticed or credited and truly “gave to give”, without the need for notice. These wonderful traits are what made her “Fran” and she will always be remembered by those who knew her. She will always remain in our hearts a beautiful, unselfish, humble servant who preferred, like St. Therese, to perform many small deeds to many without the need for recognition.
The family would like to acknowledge and thank those who cared for her at MD Anderson Cancer Center, including Dr. Scott Kopetz and our special angel from Patient Affairs, Connie Jacobs, and the excellent care from the staff will always be valued. The family also honors and thanks Fran’s close friends and family who not only supported Fran but were there for Weldon, as well.
She is survived by her husband, Weldon Granger; her three children, Jennifer Granger Blankenship, her husband Robert Blankenship, and their daughter, Frances “Frannie” Blankenship, Dillon Doyle, William Doyle and Austin Doyle; her son, John W. Granger II and his wife, Julie Nowak Granger and their three children, Wells, Alex and Gavin, and her youngest child Jason W. Granger. Her siblings include sister, Charlotte Debaillon Giordano, her husband, Santo, and their son, Frank, sister, Elizabeth “Liz” Debaillon and her husband, Skip Hand, and her youngest sibling, Thomas “Tommy” Debaillon, his wife, Therese and their children, Erin, Kelly, Michelle, and Phyllis.
Those honored to serve as casket bearers will be Dr. Jerome Alesi, Tommy Debaillon, Billy Granger, Tommy Granger, Don Daniel, Frank Giordano, Skip Hand, & James Loveless.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from four o’clock this afternoon until seven o’clock this evening, Friday, the 5th of August in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis and Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston where the Recitation of the Holy Rosary will commence at seven o’clock.
The funeral mass is to be offered at Noon on Saturday, the 6th of August, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Road in Houston, where the Most Rev. Archbishop Fiorenzo, Father Wayne Wilkerson of St. Michael Catholic Church, The Basilian Fathers and Father Phil Lloyd will serve as Co-celebrants.
Immediately following the Mass, all are invited to greet the family during a reception at the Parish Life Center.
The Rite of Committal is to follow, via an escorted cortege, at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that memorial contributions in memory of Fran Granger be directed towards Bridges to Life, P.O. Box 570895, Houston, TX 77257-0895; Guide Dogs of America, 13445 Glenoaks Boulevard, Sylmar, CA 91342; Dress for Success, 3310 Eastside Street, Houston, TX 77098; St. Michael Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Rd., Houston, TX 77056; or to the charity of one’s choice.
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