Shirley Francis Hammons, 83, of Ruston, Louisiana passed peacefully on Friday, July 18, 2025. Francis was born in Minden, Louisiana on February 2, 1942. She spent her youth and school-aged years in Farmerville, Louisiana before moving with her family to Simsboro, Louisiana, where she graduated from Simsboro High School and was a member of the Lady Tiger basketball team.
Francis entered the world of work and was known throughout the Ruston business community during her over four-decade career as an insurance secretary and insurance account specialist. As a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she enjoyed working in her yard, maintaining a warm, welcoming home for her family to visit and fellowship, and traveling with friends. She was a former member of the Eta Omicron chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority and served a one-year term as its president.
Preceding her in death was her husband of thirty-seven years, Roy Gene “Mutt” Hammons; her parents, Maynard C. and Louella Upshaw; and brothers Thomas Upshaw, Troy Upshaw, and Clinton Upshaw.
She is survived by two sons, Steve Hammons of Mount Vernon, Texas and Barry Hammons (Ellen) of Sibley, Louisiana. Left to cherish the memories of their “Nana” are her grandchildren and great-grandchildren Hayden and Joni Hammons (John and Ben) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Ross and Sarah-Lindsey Hammons (Ginny and Hank) of Madison, Mississippi; John Cullen Hammons of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Mary Conly and Mark Fakier of New Orleans, Louisiana; Maggie Hammons of Sibley, Louisiana; and Lane Hammons of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Francis is also survived by her sisters Pat Eloise Norris and Ruth Kent (Craig) of Ruston as well as a host of nieces and nephews. A special heartfelt love and appreciation is extended to her sister-in-law, Dora Hall, and her nephew, Wayne Upshaw, for their unending love and care for Francis.
The family will observe a Private Graveside Service.
