Frances Ann Hood (Fran) of Springfield, Missouri passed away on April 17, 2025 at home with family at the age of 90. She was born on a small Depression-era farm near Conway, Missouri, and at the age of four her family relocated to Springfield. Fran attended Springfield (Central) High (Class of 1952), where she met her future husband, Jack Kent Hood.

Fran and Jack were married on December 25, 1953, and they moved to Manhattan, Kansas, where Fran worked and supported Jack as he completed his architecture program. Thus began a seven-decade marriage, a relationship built on love, devotion, and mutual respect.

After Jack's graduation, the couple returned to Springfield, and Fran presided over what became a growing and active household—one that certainly could have inspired scriptwriters for the Brady Bunch. Four kids and their various schools, weekly church activities, building two new homes, as well as the requisite summer station wagon vacations to National Parks, Florida, or Hilton Head. Through it all, Fran ably and lovingly managed the disparate events; she was truly a steward of four unique childhoods in the cacophonous Sixties!

Still, and admirably, Fran carved out her own roles in the community as a business owner and volunteer. Fran co-founded and co-owned Pickwick Place, a curated antique shop in the Rountree neighborhood. This was a natural for Fran, as she was an avid collector and was good with the numbers—as they say. In addition, Fran found time to volunteer with Southwest Missouri Museum Associates, Cox Auxiliary, school PTAs, and Crosslines. She and Jack were also avid supporters of Missouri State University, and they traveled hither and yon to cheer on the Bears.

Perhaps, though, Fran's tour de force was the veritable Faerie she created for her many grandchildren, who literally had a magical second home, one filled with wooden toys, sumptuous holiday meals, Christmas trees that stretched to the sky, an out of tune piano, creepy old dolls, and a glorious pool for hot summer days. Much of this was based on good fortune, and Fran was nothing if not thankful. She was gracious, compassionate, slow to judge, and a superb listener. Everyone, (even her children's spouses!) benefited from her innate wisdom and caring demeanor. Her husband Jack may have designed some of Springfield's largest buildings, but Fran created an even larger familial community, one built on kindness.

Kindness, today's America could learn a few things from Fran.

Fran is survived by her four children, Jeannie (Brent) Glover of Marble Falls, Arkansas; Jill (Jim) Lohmeyer of Springfield; Jana (Gary) Funk of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Joel (Joyce) Hood, also of Springfield; grandchildren, Kasie (Rob) Ferguson, Cody (Cheryl Vukmanich) Johnson, & Kyle (Millie) Johnson. Whitney (Blake) Bryant, Bethany (Ben) McDonald, Katy(RJ Jennings) Lohmeyer, Megan (Jon Urban) Funk, Thomas (Holly Tarren) Funk, Jessica (Austin) Kendrick, Gracie (Logan) Kennedy, and Jackson Hood. Fran was blessed with the opportunity to hold 18 great-grandchildren.

Fran was predeceased by her parents and three sisters.

Private services will be held for the immediate family at a later date. Memorial contributions in honor of Fran may be made to the Southwest Missouri Museum Associates Endowment Fund. Donations can be made online at cfozarks.org or mailed to CFO, P.O. Box 8960, Springfield, MO 65801.