Cynthia Francine Gregg, lovingly known as Mimi or Ms. Gregg, peacefully passed away surrounded by family on July 30, 2022.
Francine was born in Longview, Texas on July 9, 1934. She graduated from Aldine High School where she played the clarinet in the band, then continued her formal education while running her own beauty salon called “Francine’s Hair Fashions,” earning her Bachelor’s degree from University of Houston and her Masters degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. She began her teaching career in Houston ISD, then went on to bless the lives of multiple generations of students at Grapeland ISD and Angelina College. Teaching was her true calling and passion and she absolutely loved it along with every single student who had the honor of being in her classroom. She mostly taught reading but was willing to teach any class that needed teaching, including Spanish even though she did not speak the language. Francine thrived in the campus environment as the director of the One Act Play and as the Cheerleading Sponsor. She was encouraged to hang up her pom poms at the age of 73, but she never actually did. She attended every football and basketball game that she could where she and Mr. Buddy always cheered the loudest for the mighty, mighty Sandies. The only thing she loved more than teaching was her family and giving back to her community in any way that she could. After retiring from teaching and moving back to Katy, she joined the Katy Elks Lodge where she was given the unofficial title of The One Woman Welcoming Committee since she made it her own personal goal to welcome and get to know every single member, new and old, making them feel special, just like she did for her students. She was the life of the party everywhere she went and always the last to go to bed. She loved her Astros and anything sweet, especially chocolate. She also loved going to the beauty shop, and her favorite doctors, Dr. Phil, and Dr. Pepper. Her smile was infectious, her hugs were always warm, her heart was bigger than Texas and she loved with every bit of it.
Francine is survived by her daughter Deborah Darlene Tharp, son Dennis Edward Tharp and his wife Paula Kaye, their brother, Tony Tharp and his wife Amanda, her daughter-in law Jackie Gregg, her grandchildren Guy French, Cynthia French, Sarah Daniels and her husband Jody, Katy McLaughlin and her husband David, Heath Tharp, Tammy Hubier and her husband Robert, Haley Tharp, Sara Gregg-Werneke and her husband Bobby, Tyler Gregg and his wife Ellie and 15 great grandchildren.
Ms. Gregg is preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Imogene Cloud, her husband Doyle “Buddy” Gregg, her brother William Phillip Cloud, and her step-son Dane Gregg.
The memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of Grapeland on Thursday, August 4 at 2:00pm with visitation at 1:00pm and a Celebration of Life will be held at the Katy Elks Lodge on Sunday, August 7 at 1:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be given to Texas Elks Children’s Services, Inc. via Paypal or mail at 1963 FM 1586, Gonzales, TX 78629, with Katy Elks Lodge as the specified location.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for all of the thoughts, prayers and memories shared with our sweet and truly special Mimi.
Visitation
Thursday, August 4, 2022
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
First Baptist Church
408 W Chestnut St,
Grapeland, TX 75844
Memorial Service
Thursday, August 4, 2022
2:00 PM
First Baptist Church