Frances “Fran” Marie Watts Ginn
72, Columbia
A rite of Christian burial was held Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 10 a.m., with the Committal service following in Woodlawn Cemetery for Frances “Fran” Marie Watts Ginn, 72, of Columbia, who passed away into the promise of life everlasting, given in the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord, in the early morning hours of Thursday, March 20, in Jackson. Rev. Susan Bear officiated at the services. Visitation was held from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, March 28, at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church.
Born Nov. 6, 1952, to Thomas Henderson Watts Jr. and Mary Frances Barnes Watts, she is known foremost as a child of God and affectionately to many as Fran, the doyenne of culinary arts and culture in her hometown of Columbia.
As the only daughter born in the loving family of a downtown merchant and school teacher, she inherited attributes from both parents. She was a proud fourth-generation Main Street business owner like her father and maintained a status as a lifelong learner like her mother. After graduating from Columbia High School, she attended Mississippi College and finished her degree in social work at Mississippi State University. In addition, she continued her studies toward an MBA at Tulane University. She lived some years away from small-town life in Tulsa and Stillwater, Okla., and New Orleans, La.
Her life experiences helped facilitate her love of food and the epicurean talents in which she was held in such high regard. Although she was never classically trained as a chef, she had an encyclopedic knowledge of food and culinary arts that was hard-won and mastered through a passion for excellence. She was proud to have met and attended classes with her idol, Julia Child, and opened up the world of fine foods and the joy of cooking to a multitude of friends, clients and admirers.
Later, she reconnected with her high school sweetheart, Mike Ginn, in New Orleans. Together, they decided to return to their hometown in 1982. The following year, she opened her catering business, In Good Taste, where she served the king of Spain, governors, senators and all of her guests with the same glorious panache, hospitality and attention to the most intricate details. She was the go-to purveyor of the loveliest southern weddings and events across Mississippi and beyond. She catered some of the state's largest and most prestigious events year after year, including the Mistletoe Market Preview Gala, The Mystic Krewe of Zeus celebrations and events at the Lauren Rogers Museum, including the opening of the Chihuly Venetians exhibit in 2016 and the Mississippi Museum of Art including the Majesty of Spain exhibit in 2001.
It was her delight to fulfill lifelong dreams for her brides and clients. Her 40-year culinary journey included 18 years at the Back Door Cafe on Main Street in Columbia. The Back Door was far more than a restaurant serving great food; it launched the revival of Main Street Columbia. Fran and Mike were a team that kept their proverbial fingers in the dam as long as they could because they believed in the dream of a vibrant downtown Columbia.
In her own words, she claimed the restaurant "was not only a mission ordained for us…(God clearly told me to open a restaurant, which I resisted for a while) but it became a blessing to us. So many delightful people we would not have known became dear friends." She and her restaurant attracted many people from all over to downtown Columbia, some of whom decided to stay and make it their home, too. From her Cook's Choice southern specialties at lunch to the On the Road offerings of worldly delicacies in the evening, she gave people a sense of place and home and a sense of where they might like to explore far away, all on a simple round plate.
As well as being an artist in mixed media, she was a popular food and lifestyle columnist for The Columbian-Progress newspaper and appeared regularly on the Mississippi Public Broadcasting Network. She also taught well-sought-after cooking classes at The Kitchen Table and The Everyday Gourmet. She was an avid gardener and especially loved sharing time in her childhood backyard with her grandchildren. She loved being a member of the Town Club, attending the meetings and having fellowship with her friends.
She was a profoundly spiritual person dedicated to her church, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. One of her greatest delights was serving as a member of the Altar Guild. She shared her talents adorning the altar with florals that enhanced worship with a nod to liturgy, scripture and holiness.
She will forever be remembered and honored for all she contributed to this town's culture, vibrancy, palate and beyond — epicurean, chef, artist, writer, reader, gardener and keeper of great knowledge.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Henderson Watts Jr. and Mary Frances Barnes Watts; and husband of 40 years, Thomas “Mike” Michael Ginn.
Those left to cherish her memory are her son, Miles (Margaux); grandchildren, Hallie Ginn and Mac Ginn; brothers, Thomas Watts III (Jenny) and Ben (Lori); mother-in-law, Edna Martin Ginn; sister-in-law, Beth Mazzanti (Mark); nieces, Abby Bauer (Nelson) and Elizabeth Mazzanti Seyler (Jason); nephews, Thomas Watts (Wendi), Benjamin Watts (Caitlin), Michael Mazzanti (Rachel), Drew Mazzanti (Emily) and Stephen (Dyllan); and many great-nieces and nephews,
Pallbearers were Nelson Bauer, Zach Bourne, Will Houston, Andrew Mazzanti, Michael Mazzanti, Stephen Mazzanti, Benjamin Watts and Thomas Watts.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 761, Columbia, Mississippi, 39429.
