Frances Marie Kojis entered into the Lord's presence on May 23, 2010, at 6:30 a.m. following a lengthy illness. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home in Carthage and Emken-Linton Funeral Home in Texas City.

Fr. Scott Chemino, Vicar General of the Diocese of Alexandria, LA and nephew to Mrs. Kojis and Fr. Michael Adams, pastor of St. William of Vercelli Catholic Church in Carthage will concelebrate a funeral mass for Mrs. Kojis on Monday, May 31, 2010, at 10 a.m. at St. Williams. Mrs. Kojis will be returned to Texas City where there will be a family visitation at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 1 at Emken-Linton Chapel. A rosary service at 10 a.m. will be followed with burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Dickinson. Grandsons Anthony Stallone, John, Drew and C.J. Kirk and John and Phillip Ross will serve as pallbearers.

Frances Zeno was born Dec. 5, 1928, in Columbus, Ohio to Samuel and Lily (Piazza) Zeno. The family relocated to Louisiana in 1934, where Frances was educated and in 1946, married Millard Kojis of Bunkie, LA. Together they shared 41 years until his death in 1987. In marriage, they shared their love with eight children who now survive them. Judy and husband Joseph Stallone of Gary, TX, Michael and wife Pamela of Pecos, TX, Patty and husband John Ross of Longview, Sammy Kojis of Willis, Cathy and husband John Kirk of Nacogdoches, Margaret and husband Chris Johnson of Scottsdale, AZ, Debbie and husband Greg Braddy of Humble, and son Carl of Weaverville, NC. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; her sisters, Joan Mayeaux of Pearland and Jean Villalvaso of Corpus Christi; step-brother, Joseph Hebert and wife Sharon of Batchelor, LA; and many loving nieces, nephews, godchildren and long time friends.

Mrs. Kojis was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Texas City from 1955, until 2000, when she became ill. In years before illness, she was a valuable asset to the parish while educating and raising eight children, then later through her services to the R.C.I.A. program for Catholic converts.

After her youngest children were in high school, Fran returned to college to earn an associate's degree as a paralegal. She worked for Theodore Stubbs at the Cotton Exchange Building in Galveston for twelve years. When she became ill in 1999, Fran was moved to East Texas to be cared for by her children. She became a member of St. William of Vercelli Catholic Church and was lovingly cared for until the time of her death. Her children are grateful for the love and care that was extended to her by the wonderful staff of Marian Place Assisted Living for almost seven years.

Special thanks to her faithful friend, Frances Trepagnier, who maintained contact with Fran until her death and to family and friends who helped her maintain contact with those she loved. She deeply missed Texas City and her many friends there and only when illness took those memories did she find peace at having been separated from them.

Memorials, in lieu of flowers, are requested for the St. Mary's Catholic Church, Building Fund, 1604 9th Ave. North, Texas City, TX 77590, the Marian Place, Staff Education Fund, 1690 NE Loop 59, Carthage, TX 75633, or St. William of Vercelli Catholic Church, 4088 NW Loop, Carthage, TX 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.