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Frances “Fran” Melynda Ratliff Dobson, 62, was born in Port Sulphur on May 2, 1957. She went to be with her Lord and Savior on April 14, 2020.

She was a lifelong resident of Port Sulphur, and currently lived in Bogalusa. She was the beloved wife and high school sweetheart of Thomas (Tommy) O’Nell Dobson, of 47 years. She was the cherished daughter of Hilda C. Ratliff and sister of Amy Peoples (Robert). She was an amazing mom to three daughters, Kathryn (Katie) Frances Berget (Aaron), Jennifer (Jenny) Nell McJunkin (Timothy), and Stephanie Melynda Longman (Shawn). She was the adoring MiMi of Anna Joy, Emmaline (Emma) Frances, Olivia (Lila) Kathryn, Adam Thomas, Alyssa (Lyssie) Nell, Aaron (Bubba) Daniel Jr., and Sadie Elizabeth. She was the loving caretaker of Samantha Frances Peoples.

She was preceded in death by her daddy, Hulon E. Ratliff; three angel grandbabies and father-in-law, Ernest Henry Dobson Sr. She is survived by her mother-in-law, Rillian Dobson; many nieces and nephews, Angela, Robby, Jonathon, Rebecca, Devon, Emily and Jacob; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws.

She lived life fully and fought the good fight. She enjoyed gardening, bird watching, sitting on her porch, reading, crafting, singing in the choir at her church, and fishing with her grandkids by her pond. She enjoyed being the church secretary for Port Sulphur Baptist Church and the Sunday School Secretary at Lee’s Creek Baptist Church. She was a spiritual role model to many people. Fran had a nurturing and selfless heart that loved Jesus. She touched so many people and welcomed everyone into her home. She was everybody’s Momma Fran and she absolutely loved all her babies!

On Friday, April 17, a closed ceremony was held at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home, 216 Alabama Ave. in Bogalusa, from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Immediately following, there was a funeral procession to Magee’s Creek Baptist Church, 174 Darbun Road in Jayess, Miss., where friends and family were invited to attend a graveside ceremony at 1:30 p.m. A “Celebration of Her Life” ceremony will be held at a later date.