Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, at Friendship Baptist Church in Grenada for Frances Marnet Lane Defenbaugh, 79, of Grenada, who entered her eternal rest on Thursday, Nov. 27, her family announced with great sadness. Burial followed in Oddfellows Cemetery in Grenada. Visitation was held from 1:30 p.m. until service time on Sunday, Nov. 30, at the church.
Born on Sept. 15, 1946, Frances was one of seven children born to the late Dee Burnice and the late Wilma Bloodworth Lane. She graduated from East Tallahatchie High School where she excelled both academically and athletically in basketball and track. After attending Northwest Mississippi Community College, Frances spent many summers at Grenada Lake where she learned to water ski and met the love of her life, William Richeson “Rich” Defenbaugh.
A lifelong Ole Miss Rebel fan, Frances rarely missed the chance to cheer on her team. She was also a proud supporter of Kirk Academy athletics, faithfully attending games and proudly cheering on her children and grandchildren through every season. Frances also served her community through her involvement in the Junior Auxiliary of Grenada where she held roles including president and later vice president of the Junior Auxiliary National Organization. Frances lived a life marked by service, devotion to her family and deep community involvement.
In addition to her parents, her husband, Rich; one granddaughter, Nowell Elizabeth Defenbaugh; her siblings, Bubba Lane, Linda Smith and Bernice Pettit, and a nephew, Lee Smith, preceded Frances in death.
Frances leaves behind her two sons, Rodney Edwin Defenbaugh II and his wife, Juli, of Grenada and William Richeson “Bill” Defenbaugh Jr. and his wife, Dana, of Winona; her treasured grandchildren, Emily Defenbaugh Pettigrew (Jimmy), Rodney Edwin Defenbaugh III, Grace Hayes Defenbaugh and Minelle Rollins Defenbaugh, and her siblings, Barbara Dogan, Debbie Mitchell and Dewayne Lane.
Pallbearers were Kent Lane, Glen Mitchell, John Dogan, Jason Pettit, Danny Pettit, Timmy Pettit, Allen Harrell and Scott Woods.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed in Frances’ memory to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital or the Kirk Academy Booster Club.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.mckibbenandguinn.com
McKibben and Guinn Funeral Service in Grenada was in charge of arrangements.
