Francine Marie Griffin-Cook was born April 24, 1955, to Henry Lee (deceased) and Lucille Griffin in Fredericksburg, VA. She grew up in Stafford County and graduated from Stafford Senior High School in 1973.

At an early age she accepted Christ at Union Bell Baptist Church in Stafford, VA. She attended Sunday school regularly, was a member of the community choir and served on the usher board.  After high school she relocated to Washington, DC to work for the federal government at the Navy Annex. Francine enjoyed her job, but she also loved helping people, especially children, so she returned to Fredericksburg and opened her own licensed Day Care Center.  She did this until it was no longer feasible. Because she still wanted to help people, she started working for Spotsylvania Social Services and later accepted a position as a patient advocate at Mary Washington Hospital in Stafford.  She worked there until she retired in 2022.

Francine was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Love in Fredericksburg for over 40 years.  She served as church secretary, worked on numerous committees and was president of the usher board until her health started to decline.

She met Elmo Cook, Jr. at Quantico Marine Base and they were married in 1998.  They enjoyed serving God, traveling, hosting family gatherings, and eating out. Elmo was a devoted husband and was by her side from the onset of her illness until the end.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband Elmo Cook, Jr.; daughter Tamara Griffin; stepson Cortez Cook (Morgan); her mother, Lucille Griffin; sisters, Patricia Hawthorne, Cynthia Udhiri, and Dellareese Griffin; brother, Kevin Griffin; three aunts, two uncles, one great aunt, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren and friends.

Francine loved life, had a deep faith in God and unwavering love for her family. She was big hearted, easy going but stubborn at times, patient and accepted everyone with an open heart and warm smile. She enjoyed traveling, going to movies, reading, being with her family, and eating good food. She was known for her "high heel shoes" no matter the occasion.  Her favorite expression was "Jesus Wept".

Francine's departure comes as a great shock and is gravely felt by her entire family and countless others who loved her deeply.

A viewing will be held at Arms of the Lord Ministries, 2100 Airport Ave, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, on Monday, July 1, 2024, at 10:00 AM followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. Click her e to view a live streaming of the funeral service. The interment will follow at Glen Haven Memory Gardens.