Frances Ellen (Dickson) Jones

Frances Ellen Jones (Dickson) passed away on December 2, 2025 at the age of 92.
Frances was born April 6, 1933 to Frederick and Opal Dickson. She graduated from McClatchy High School, where she met Lisle (Casey) Jones. During high school Fran and Casey had a number of classes together and shortly after high school in 1951 they were married. They celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary April 14, 2025.
Fran held a number of jobs throughout her life time she worked in a pet shop, she worked in the front office for a local eye doctor, she was a banquet waitress at the Sacramento and Woodlake Inns, and also worked as a telephone operator for the Sacramento Municipal Utilities District (SMUD) before retiring in 1991.
In the mid 70’s while her boys were growing up she was one of the original soccer moms as both Randy and Zach played and Casey was coach for the Fulton El Camino Recreation & Park District. Fran made sure all the kids had rides to and home from games, she prepared and bought snacks, assisted any of the kids with injuries, and even brought extra cleats and shin guards just in case someone forgot theirs. Fran was also very involved with the St Philomenes Parish. Fran and Casey assisted in chairing many parish festivals, special events, activities and were part of the parish family outreach to families immigrating to the United States from Vietnam.
Fran also played a vital role in preparing for the annual summer visits with the family to Camp Sacramento. Taking two young boys to camp was no easy task. Not only did she have to pack the snacks for the road trip to camp, she had to pack the clothes, help with the fishing poles and bait, and make sure she had packed enough shoes for her youngest son, Zach, who always seemed to have wet shoes within minutes of arriving at camp. Casey and Fran participated as Board Members of the Friends of Camp Sacramento for many years.
Fran was not just a mom to her own two boys but often assisted with a number of neighborhood children. She drove kids home from school, to soccer practice, band practice, regularly set an extra place at the dinner table if someone was hungry, and allowed kids to live at our home if they needed a place to stay.
She not only enjoyed helping the kids of the neighborhood she also had a passion for assisting or adopting stray animals. At one time the Jones house was not only a home for her husband and two boys but also 4 dogs, 3 cats, a guinea pig, a turtle, and a parrot. Over the years Casey and Fran fostered or owned so many different dogs and cats that it is almost impossible to name them all. Many of these animals came from cases of abuse or from homes that could no longer care for them but once they arrived they truly found their forever home!
After retirement, and as the kids grew up, she spent her time as a caregiver for members of her family. First she cared for her father, Fred Dickson, until his passing in 1996. Before her father passed she promised to look after his baby sister, Dorothy St. John, which she did valiantly until her passing in 2023 at the age of 105.
Fran will be remembered as a person who loved to help others, made no difference if you had two legs or four if you needed help she would help however she could. She provided a great example of service to others for her boys. She enjoyed taking her children to all their activities, she loved her animals, a good debate, her cigarettes, Starbucks coffee.
Frances is survived by her children Randy (Ginger) and Zachary (Chrisy), eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Frances was proceeded in death by Lisle (Casey) her husband of 74 years her brother-in-law Ronald Dean Jones, and sister-in-law Carol Jones (Robideaux).
We will be hosting a graveside service where her ashes will be laid to rest at the Odd Fellows Cemetery (2720 Riverside Blvd, Sacramento 95816) on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 1:00 pm. Reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers the family would request donations be made to the Front Street Animal Shelter https://licensepet.com/wl3/don/scrmwd/1193.