Grace L. “Rena” French

Grace L. “Rena” French, went home to be with the Lord on December 26, 2023. She was born to Edward and Grace (Kimbrough) Madewell on November 25, 1958 in Palestine, Texas. She graduated from Palestine High School and received a Bachelor of Science from Stephen F. Austin University. Rena was loved and adored by her family and friends and all who knew her.

A funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, December 30, 2023, at First Baptist Church in Bullard. Rev. Larry Smith and Rev. Doug Wilson will officiate. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. She will be laid to rest at Old Palestine Cemetery in Alto, Texas. Services are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home in Jacksonville.

Rena showed her love for the Lord by ministering to everyone she met throughout her journey of life. Rena was a member of Friendship Baptist Church, and she faithfully taught a women’s Sunday School class for over 30 years. Before becoming a mother, she taught 8th grade American History at Palestine and Jacksonville High Schools. Rena was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution and served in a women’s jail ministry. Outside of reading her Bible, Rena found daily joy in sitting on the porch at the family cabin, tending to her garden and flowers, baking homemade bread, and caring for her chickens. Despite her difficult battle with cancer over the last 2 years, Rena never faltered in her love for the Lord and never stopped serving and loving those around her.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband of over 42 years, David W. French of Bullard; son, David W. French II of College Station; and daughter, Sarah-Grace French of Dallas. Her sisters are Dorothy Dennis and husband Don of Elkhart and Donna Williams and husband Gary of Palestine.

Pallbearers will be Dee Merritt, Gaylon Metcalf, WT Jennings, Don Dennis, Brad Dennis, and Randy Hurst.

Honorary pallbearers will be Gary Williams and Wayne Fletcher.

Rather than customary condolences, the family requests donations be made to The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation.