Frances Ann Montez, 83, passed away peacefully surrounded by a loving family in Brownwood, Texas on Saturday, November 16th, 2024 at the age of 83. A Visitation will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at Heartland Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will begin at 2:00 PM, Thursday, November 21, 2024 in the Heartland Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at Greenleaf Cemetery with Robert Braxton Gilbert officiating.
Frances Ann Montez, daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother was the third child born to Herman Edytas and Mamie Bell Hanks on June 4th, 1941, in Brownwood Texas. She grew up in Brownwood with her older sisters Nelda, Betty and younger brother Wayne, all of whom she loved dearly. She attended school at Brownwood and graduated from Brownwood High school class of 1959. She married her first husband Robert Sims Gilbert in November 1959 and from this marriage she had 3 children, Greg, Sherry and Toni Gilbert. The family traveled with the Military stationed around the United States and abroad. In 1978 she moved back to her life in Brownwood. In 1984 while working at C.I.T. she met and married Tony “Pa Pa Tony” Montez who worked at Kohler until his retirement. She got to spend many happy hours with her parents and family over the years. Frances and her sisters were known for being jokesters, keeping the family on their toes anticipating what they would do next, as frequently it involved embarrassment for the unsuspecting victims. Thanks to these three, the Hanks family reunions were never boring. Frances was a great cook, homemaker, loved crafting, puzzles and being a daycare for her grandchildren. She was active in many family activities attending numerous recitals, ball games and school activities with her children and grandchildren. Frances spent the last few years of her life anticipating Wednesday’s Ladies night out with her sister Nelda, sister-in-law Gail Hanks and “cousin” Carlene where many games of 42 were played. She may have been tired for days before and after, but these nights out were not to be missed.
Frances is survived by one sister, Nelda Minica; sister-in-law, Gail Hanks; children, Greg and wife, Cindy Gilbert, Sherry and husband, Joel Hoover, Toni and husband, Burk Singleton, grandchildren Geremy, Braxton, Zachary, Dustin, Taylor and Sydney, great-grandchildren Gage, Michiah, Asher, Adoniah, Willow, Alisa, Bria, Maddie, Harper, Finley and Hayes.
Frances was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Tony; and siblings, Betty Vedder and Wayne Hanks.
Online condolences can be shared with the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net