Frances Boyles

Frances Marie Gunkel Boyles was born January 11, 1952, in Elk City, Oklahoma. Her parents Jack and Ada Gunkel moved to the booming town of Odessa, Texas, in 1954 to pursue opportunities in the Oil and Gas Industry. Upon moving, the Gunkels became lifelong members of Redeemer Lutheran Church. Frances proudly attended Permian High School and graduated in 1970. Frances always wanted to help others. To accomplish this goal, she attended Odessa College and West Texas State University and graduated in 1973 with her bachelor’s in nursing. After Graduation, Frances started working at Women and Children’s Hospital in the labor and delivery department. For over 25 years, she served West Texans with unwavering compassion and joyous zeal. It was during this time, she fell in love with her husband, Franklin Russell Boyles. The two were wed on June 12th, 1983, at Redeemer Lutheran Church. Frances and Russ were inseparable. They enjoyed traveling around the globe, volunteering in their community, and most of all dancing. On May 19th, 1989, the couple welcomed their son, Stephen Weiss Boyles, into the world. Always the intrepid individual, Frances dove headfirst into entrepreneurship and volunteerism after the birth of her son. She was co-owner of AM and FM Antiques and Gifts with her mother. She also was co-owner of Stephen’s Furniture with her husband Russ. Frances volunteered and led many organizations in Odessa. Her favorite of which was the Junior League of Odessa, which she served as president. She also loved being instrumental in the lives of her son and his friends throughout the years. She served as an officer of the Permian Football Booster Club, ECISD Volunteers in Public School chair at Permian, and youth group director for Redeemer Lutheran Church. Her most recent pursuit was being the best grandmother possible to her first grandchild Bruce Weiss Boyles.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Ada Gunkel.

She is survived by her husband, Russ; son, Stephen; daughter in law, Michelle; and grandson, Bruce.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home in Odessa, Texas. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, February 17, 2023, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Odessa, Texas.