Frances Marie Ripka was born on September 1, 1941, in Lynn, Arkansas, and passed away on June 21, 2026. After spending her early years in Arkansas, she moved to Oklahoma as a teenager and built a life centered around her family and career.

Frances worked diligently as an office cleaner, including at Mickey Giillie's office, and later as a nursing home aide in Cushing. During this time, she pursued higher education, earning her GED and a degree in business mathematics from Langston University, which facilitated her entrepreneurial endeavors, including the operation of her own sewing machine and vacuum repair shop.

Frances's legacy is marked by her dedication to her family, and she is preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, Charles Ripka, Mami Gordon, four brothers, Fagan Ripka, Sonny Ripka, Kenneth Ripka, Harold Ripka, a son-in-law, Paul Castor Sr., and a great-granddaughter, Abigail.

She is survived by her four children, including Debbie Hedge and her husband Jerry, grandchildren Michael, Lorinda, Jerry Jr., daughter Shirley Castor, grandsons Paul Castor Jr. and Joseph Castor, son Danny Culbreath, daughter Brenda Everman, grandchildren Christopher Lacy and Cassondra Priest, and numerous great-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Frances's sisters, Helen Smith and Marilyn Allred, also survive her.

She will be laid to rest at Flynn Cemetery, two miles from her residence.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home. A visitation will be held on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at Palmer Marler Funeral Home, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the God’s House of Prayer, 301 E. 11th St., Chandler, OK 74834. Burial will follow at Flynn Cemetery.