Dr. Oputa was a great woman of God, wife, mother, educator, performer, advocate, mentor, friend, and an inspiration to many. Dr. Oputa has been an integral part of my life since I was young, there are so many wonderful memories I have of her. From her story times (Why Do Mosquitos Buzz in our Ear?) Dance routines, poems, chants and games at Saturday Cultural School, to my teenage years (summer pool parties, outings, church, my baptism) to my college years at Fresno State- being able to stop by her office at any time & her valuable advice to me, Sistah to Sistah meetings and graduation, to giving the Bride's speech at my wedding and the naming ceremonies of my children, to teaching my children as well in Saturday Cultural School. There are too many memories to name. Mrs. Oputa had an effortless way of being present and impactful in my life during all my major milestones. She always had a bright smile, and a warm hug and listened intently to what you had to say. As I reflect on her life, I am in awe of what she accomplished in her life's journey. She used all her gifts and did not allow them to go to waste. I am glad to have known her. To Reverend Dr. Henry I. Oputa, Chuyendu, IfeChudeni, Nwachukwu, and the entire family, I express my heartfelt condolences on the loss of the great, incomparable woman - Dr. Francine L. Oputa.  Indeed, her life served as an inspiration for others to use their gifts and make a meaningful impact on the world. May her beautiful soul rest in peace, and may her family find solace in the beautiful memories she left behind. Dr. Oputa's legacy will live on through the positive influence she had on those she touched. Remember, weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning! May the peace of our Lord continue to be with us all in Jesus' name. Amen.
With Love,
Mrs. Muriah Ezinne Okwelogu-Olumeko

I’ve delayed writing this post, because posting makes the sudden death of my dear friend, Francine, all the more real. There’s not much more that I can add to all of the wonderful things that her friends and family have posted already, so I will just say thank You Lord for giving me such an amazing, godly, wise, joyful, encouraging, Spirit filled woman as Francine. 


Thank You Lord, that I got to give her her roses when we spent time together in July. 

She alluded to the fact that she was put  off because someone made a comment to her best friend, Della that went something like this… YOU are Francine’s best friend? I asked Francine, “What did you hear? She said she  heard that her best friend was being put down, and that the person thought Della wasn’t worthy of being her  best friend. 

I sat quietly for a few seconds looking at her, and then said, you don’t know huh? She said, know what? I said, “How amazing and accomplished you are!” I explained that I didn’t hear that the person was downing Della, but she was surprised that Della got to be best friends with amazing Francine!!!! She thought about it, processing what I said, and we went on laughing, talking and catching up as always. Francine called me the following day, as I was in the middle of several things, but I  answered her call. She thanked me for my  perspective regarding the comment made to Della, and stated  that someone in a meeting she had that morning shared similar sentiments. I told her that I  loved her,  and she said she loved me. And that was our last conversation. I’m so glad I answered the phone and I God to express how amazing she was.


Like so many others, I am heartbroken AND God is still good!! I will miss her, AND I will see her again. I hate that she died suddenly, AND all things will work together for the good of her family, friends, church, community and God’s glory. Weeping may endure for the night, AND joy will come one morning. 


Thank You Jesus that I GOT to be friends with the amazing Francine. Her imprint will be on my heart and soul forever. I’ll see you in glory my sweet friend.

Dr. Oputa was one of my first supervisors at Fresno State when I was a budding undergraduate student at Fresno State. As a first-generation college student, I needed a job on campus that would allow me to do community-oriented work more conveniently and focus on my studies. I reached out to Dr. Oputa, and she gave me a job at the Cross Culture and Gender Center. My academic trajectory has not been the same since. I often reflect on these little taken-for-granted opportunities that can change the course of a person's career and life when I look at how far I have come. More importantly, it is the generous people, like Dr. Oputa, that you meet along the way that shape you as well. Despite our differences, this is how I will ultimately remember Dr. Oputa.

Thank you,
Prof. Vanna Nauk

FRANCINE'S BANANA NUT-BREAD.
I had just arrived the USA in December of 1978. Dr. Henry Oputa and Francine had invited me to accompany them to a Pastor friend's home for Christmas dinner. Boy, was I freezing . On returning to the dormitory that night,  Sweet hearted Francine would not let me go without taking some of her freshly baked banana nut bread. Great thing that I did! That B.N. bread was so good I still have not had any as good all these years. Francine, you were Henry's wife, but you were also all our wife/mother too. I will miss that smile and warm motherly embrace of yours. I  wish you a peaceful and perfect rest in the bossom of the Lord. I pray God's blessings for the family you left behind.

It is with great sadness that I write this tribute to someone as great as Dr. Francine Oputa. Never in a million years would I have thought that I would have to do this so soon. It seems like just yesterday we were sharing laughter and tears in our National Coalition Building (NCBI) class at Fresno State this past July. She was such an inspiration to many. I noticed that my sister felt a little tired, but I had no clue it would come to this. We shared a lot of precious moments together, and when I saw her name associated with the course, I had to take it. I couldn’t have imagined that this would have been our last encounter. I noticed many people coming in and out of our course to say hello when they heard that she was in the building. She had the ability to draw others near.

Dr. Oputa and I go way back to the days when she first joined Fresno State. I can remember attending so many events with her. She was one of a kind. When she walked in a room, you felt her presence. She was so poised with a beautiful disposition--one with style and grace. When she spoke, she had the attention of all in the room. She was very soft-spoken, but very well heard. A voice that could be recognized by many who knew her. She touched many souls. I don’t know of anyone who crossed her path who didn’t truly love her.

She was very giving with her time as she honored many requests for speaking engagements. She was slated to be our guest speaker for our upcoming Women’s Conference at Family Community Church this November. I can remember our Evening of Elegance days where she was delighted to take part in presenting scholarships to our students. She never missed a graduation at Fresno State that I can recall. While working in the Thomas Building, she attracted many to the round table conversations during the lunch hour. We also enjoyed the Women’s meetings that took place in the University Restaurant. Before she retired, Dr. Oputa was responsible for bringing Dr. Rashanda R. Booker, our Diversity officer to Fresno State.

I really love my sister and she will join other greats who left us too soon like Maxine McDonald and Dr. James E. Walton. These are the giants whose shoulders I stand on. They paved the way for so many to follow. May they rest in peace and continue to do God’s work in heaven. I know their spirits are among us and their bright lights are shining down on us. They carried the torch for others to follow. They lift others up to greatness. Friends are the angels who help you fly.

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Dr. Marvita Gowdy

COW WITHOUT TAIL - Book 1
In 2013, soon after publishing the maiden edition of my book mentioned above , I brought  to the attention of Dr. Francine Oputa  the idea of visiting California State University in Fresno for a book reading where she worked then  as a Senior Staff. Instantly , she bought into this proposal to my delight ! Then one event led to the other until a date was fixed for me with an invitation. 

On the fateful day of this book reading, Francine and her staff crew were so ready as they took over the event’s hosting somewhere on the first floor near the university library. But for some initial minor computer technical issues which this reader will notice on my recorded video posted on this forevermissed.com forum, the event was largely seamless. It lasted for about two hours and the event had in attendance a mixed cream of my fellow Igbo population , white and brown folks for whom this  book was written . 

One puzzle I struggled with before leaving the university premises was what will eventually be the cost for all these my troubles ?  Francine later told me that it was at no cost to me; that the university in appreciation of my contribution to their students’learning instead rewarded me with a stipend which I , in turn , graciously turned over to her and her  crew . 

Even in transition , I still remain ever grateful to Francine, her ever humble husband and their Christian Ministry in Fresno. Of course, I have the blessed assurance that until we meet again, Francine is already in the bosom of  our dear Lord in company of the heavenly hosts singing her favorite songs . 
Amen .

My memories of you will always be fond ones.  You have been a force both behind the scenes and in front of the scenes. I first made youracquaintance as a new mother trying to forge a promising future for my first born son. Your Saturday School programming was a pre-cursor for the work I did at Fresno State.  My son learned some math skills from attending your Saturday Academies over in West Fresno alongside his cousin. My sister Kathy, introduced me to you.  You were larger than life and not only did I continue to allow my son to be engaged by your programming, I became a parent volunteer who also was learning how become a parent advocate in my own right.  Fast forward some years later where we would become colleagues at Fresno State. I watched you walk the stage getting your PhD and creating spaces for diversity discussion as you “ built a platform” of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity not only on campus, but here in the Central Valley and beyond. Your aura when you walked into a room was unmatched, “Hello Beloved” and that smile set the tone for the room and its attendees.  They say it you are going to be a “Copy Cat”, copy the right Cat!  . Well, I could never copy you, but your mentorship as a Black woman moving in various circles, as a colleague, as a community change agent was a daily lesson for the work I fell into in my role as the first AAI Coordinator at Fresno State. You were my case study, for how to engage and create pipeline programming for African American students. Super Saturday was not just a day in the life of a prospective African American student who was looking to possibly attend Fresno State, it was a movement and you played a key role, alongside my others who have been pillars both past and present.  In closing, I want to thank you for being my campus Auntie, Sister in Christ, and colleague.  I will never forget you for being that role model, for your mentorship in word and in deed.  I’m proud of the fact I had the opportunity to also take part in NCBI training under your leadership. I I thank you for calling to check on me last summer as I was enroute to go lay my father to rest in Michigan. You called to check on me and to receive your call while in the Chicago O’Hare airport meant a lot.  God’s Servant, Job well done!  I’ll see you on the other side. Rest easy! ~ #bulldo4lif

I will miss sharing memes on Instagram and receiving random text messages checking in on one another. Being in your presence, I felt safe, heard, and belonged, and when you retired from Fresno State, I knew your absence would be a challenge. But you equipped me to advocate for myself and speak up for what is right, no matter who is in the room. During tough conversations, I now ask myself, "What would Dr. Oputa do?" (Inside joke). Thank you, Dr. Oputa, for leading with love, kindness, patience, and respect.

Thank you for allowing me to be my authentic self. I felt lost and invisible as an undergraduate and graduate student; you took me under your wing. Because of you, I learned to lead authentically and unapologetically. And for the first time in ten years, I felt welcome and belonged at Fresno State.

"In this space, you can be whoever you want to be." - Dr. Oputa.

Rest in paradise, Dr. Francine Oputa. I am sending all my love and prayers to your loved ones.

Love you,
Your favorite employee, AKA Your nephew Junior.

As a child I could sense it and be in its loving and safe harbor. Francine knew and emulated Christ. Looked to God, even to the point of receiving the gift of Christlike love for people described in scripture as “those who despitefully use and persecute you”. She rose as one of the most admirable mothers and oracles I have ever seen to her family, friends, community, congregation, an entire university and beyond! Dr. Oputa, I wish I had had the gift of seeing you again and regret that never happened. But I picture you resting comfortably in the highest, largest, most hallowed, peaceful and beautiful garden you
inherited, which was diligently prepared for you during your 70 years of mortal life. I picture you still guiding, assuring and loving the hearts of your husband and children, your family, best friend, and all those who love you and don’t know how to live without you right now. I send my sincere respect and condolences to your cherished family and loved ones ❤️

Sharing time with Francine from Fresno to on-line institutes to International Black African Heritage Caucus, her warmth, innate love and concern for others and grace filled the venue and my heart. She, clearly, has been assigned her mansion. A nearly missed chance to hear her melodic voice and experience her regal and loving presence one more time would have been missed but for Joyce’s reach out was a blessing. May God rain all that it needed upon her loved ones in her transition to her eternal mansion shared in scripture For me, she was a treasure.
Renay

Dr.Oputa, on behalf  of the Lajubutu  family  please  accept  our heartfelt  condolences  on the passing  of your ever cheerful,  great  motivator and woman of  God wife May her soul  rest  in the bosom of our Lord Jesus christ.

Firstly, my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends who are affected by this tremendous loss. I will keep you all  in my prayers.

As you know, Dr. Oputa leaves behind a tremendous legacy within her family, many communities, and academia. 

I first met Dr. Oputa when I was an undergrad at Fresno State; she would always make an effort to be present to show her support and express solidarity with the Native American students on campus, and our causes.  Her presence was always a welcome one in Native spaces/events on campus.

Dr. Oputa personally recruited me to work, as she said;  “with me, not for me” , at the CCGC in 2018.
 From this capacity, she always made me feel a sense of validation and belonging; welcoming Native American perspectives in multiple aspects of community activism. She was one of the few people at the university that demonstrated over and over that people are valuable from all walks of life. Although very brief, it was an honor to collaborate with Dr. Oputa… we even did karaoke together one time.. an Elvis song. 

I wanted the family to know that Francine wrote a letter of recommendation for me for the American Indian Studies Professor position at Fresno City College, a position I’ve now held for the past three academic years. A part why I’m able to do the work I do now is because of her support and belief in my potential as an educator.

 So, please know that she is ever present in the work I do, and I am one of the many, many people who will continue to carry a tiny piece of the giant legacy Francine left behind. 

Thank you, Dr Oputa. Blessings and comfort to all of you who are hurting in this moment.

 Kindly,

 Erik

Nwachukwu and I grew up together and so I got to know Mrs/Dr. Oputa. From the encounters I’ve had with her, I can just remember her lovely smile and her kind nature. Everyone deserves to meet a kind person like she was.