HAYSVILLE – Evelyn Yvonne “Penny” French, of Haysville, Kansas, passed on Monday, December 13, 2021 in Wichita, Kansas at the age of 69. She was born the daughter of Eddie L. (Jett) Smith and Ray Wilson on January 5, 1952 in Richmond, Texas. Penny, her mother and sister relocated to Wellington which is where she attended and graduated from high school.As a young girl, Penny met her sweetheart, Virgil French, at the age of 10. The two were eventually united in marriage on August 6, 1984 in Wichita, Kansas and celebrated 36 years of marriage.When the Lord called her husband to pastor, Penny was instrumental in serving alongside him as they founded the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in 2000. This is when she transferred membership and became First Lady,Youth Choir President, Mission Director, Bus Ministry Driver and the Pastor’s Amen Corner. She and her sister were blessed with a gift of music and Penny sang in church choirs and groups nearly all of her life. Outside of church, she helped Virgil operate the family business, Virgil’s Detail Shop, for over 30 years. Above all else, Penny loved being a mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, daughter and wife. She left everyone better for having known her.
Survivors include her husband, Pastor Virgil French of Wichita, Kansas; mother; Jett Smith of Wellington, Kansas; son, Ernest (E.K.) Franks (Angela) of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; daughter, Elizabeth Monic Wilson (Sean Blunson) of Waco, Texas; daughter, Chasity Michelle Franks of Houston,
Texas; sister, Patricia Ringo of Wellington, Kansas; sister, Dalphine Gilmore (Randy) of Houston, Texas; brother, Mondre Moffett (Diane) of South
Carolina, grandsons: Terrence Valentine, Andre Dominique Wilson, Byron Johnson (Ashley), Cedric Franks; granddaughters: Jazzlyn Urbano,
December Urbano, Adriana Urbano, Tamaya Urbano, Ajay Pittman; 14 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Keith Wilson; grandsons, Jarius Love and Adrian Urbano, Jr. and her father, Ray Wilson.
A viewing and wake will be held at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 22, 2021.
Funeral services for Penny will begin at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December
23, 2021 at New Jerusalem Baptist Church, 1625 North Madison Avenue,
Wichita, Kansas.
Graveside services will be delayed until 2:00 p.m., Monday, December 27,
2021 at the Sumner Memorial Gardens, Wellington, Kansas.
Memorial contributions can be given to the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist
Church. Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home.
Share a memory, leave condolences or sign her digital tribute wall at www.
cornejofuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Cornejo Funeral Home + Crematory, 1030 Mission
Road, Wellington, Kansas.
