1926-2026
Lougene Thornton Francis Redden, 99, of Mulberry, Arkansas, passed away peacefully at home Thursday, April 16, 2026.
Born Esther Lougene Thornton on September 11, 1926 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, she was the daughter of Thomas Jefferson Thornton and Ruth Mosley Thornton.
She was reared and received her early education in the Cornerstone community and graduated from Altheimer High School in 1944. She attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity, earning her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Welfare from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1948.
She was married to Leon Walter Francis of Pine Bluff on May 22, 1948, and the couple moved to Altheimer, Arkansas. Mrs. Francis became of a member of the elementary faculty of the Altheimer School District, teaching until her children were born. When the couple later moved to West Memphis, Arkansas, for her husband to attend dental school, she resumed her career, teaching 4 years at Bragg Elementary School in the West Memphis School District.
The Francis family moved to Pine Bluff in 1963 where Dr. Francis opened his dental practice. The family became members of First Baptist Church (FBC) of Pine Bluff. Mrs. Francis was an active member of the church, teaching Sunday School for 40 years, including 30 years teaching the Adult Women’s Class. She was active in the Women’s Missionary Union, (WMU), holding various offices over the years. She served on a number of church committees at FBC including the Long Range Planning Committee, the Administrative Board, and the Marketing Committee. She chaired the History Committee from 2000-2003 when the History of First Baptist Church was updated and printed to coordinate with the 150th Anniversary of the church. Mrs. Francis helped organize the Prayer Ministry Group and Prayer Room.
Mrs. Francis loved being an American and while in Pine Bluff was a member of the Pine Bluff - John McAlmont Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), serving as Chapter Regent (1975-1977). Other offices included Treasurer and Good Citizenship Chairwoman. After moving to be with her daughter, she became a member of the Harrison Colony Chapter.
Lougene Francis was a very devoted “Grandmother” to her children and grandchildren and was involved in their care, their education, and their activities. In her children’s schools, she was active in the Parent Teachers Association. She served as both a Dial Junior High and an A Cappella Choir Chaperone. She chaired the Pine Bluff High School Prom Breakfast Committee in 1969 and was a Prom Mother in 1971.
Supporting her husband, she was an active member of the Jefferson County Dental Auxiliary and the Arkansas State Dental Auxiliary. She served two years on the Dental Ard Pac Committee as a liaison representing the Dental Auxiliary.
In the Pine Bluff community, she served as an active Board Member of Pine Bluff Sister Cities and was a member of the Notables Board of the Pine Bluff Symphony Orchestra. She was a member of the 21st Century Club, the Alethea Club, and several bridge clubs.
After Dr. Francis passed away, she worked for several years for Century 21 Moseley Realty in Pine Bluff.
On July 2, 2005, she married John Yates Redden and moved to Cordova, Tennessee. There she became a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Cordova, TN. They traveled and she enjoyed adding his children and grandchildren to her life, becoming “MamaLou”.
After Mr. Redden passed away, she moved to Mulberry, Arkansas and then to Bull Shoals, Arkansas to be closer to her daughter, Jacquelyn “Jackie” Bryant Beevers.
She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Dr. Leon Francis; and second husband, John Yates Redden. She was also preceded in death by an infant daughter, Beverly Grace Francis.
Survivors include her daughter, Jacquelyn Ruth Francis Bryant Beevers (Rev. Dr. Charles “Pete” Beevers); her son, Dr. Lee Thornton Francis (Dr. Carolyn); grandsons, (Dr. Geoffrey Richmond Bryant (Mandie) and Dr. Robert Leslie Bryant (Julie); great-grandchildren, Amelia Grace and Robert William Bryant; step-daughters, Suzanne Redden Dwight, Lynn Redden, Kimberly Redden Bacon (Dike); step-son, John Yates Redden, Jr. (Llewellyn); step-grandchildren, Christopher Clark (Stephanie), Rennie Clark (Shannon), Hunter Dwight (Ivy), Cameron Bacon Cox (Evan) and Morgan Bacon, and Kelly Redden Popkins (Sean); step-great-grandchildren, Alexis and Camille Clark, Kyle and Caleb Clark, Soarrin and Haisley Dwight, Bailey and Addison Cox; Parker, Paxton, and Palmer Popkins.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 24, 2026, at Ralph Robinson & Son, Cherry Street with Reverend Dr. Charles “Pete” Beevers officiating. Interment will be private. Visitation will be on Friday morning from 9:30 a.m. until service time at Robinson’s.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 6501 S. Hazel Street, Pine Bluff, AR 71603 or a church or charity of your choice.
