Jessica Lynn Franklin, born Jessica Lynn Scott, on May 3, 1969, in Homer, LA, passed the morning of September 11, 2026, whilst in the care of St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan, TX. She was 57 years old. 

First-born daughter of an oil field worker, Jessica, spent her formative years traveling the world with her parents, brother, and sisters. She loved telling stories of their time spent in Venezuela, England, and The Canary Islands. Notably, how she, her brother, and one of her little sisters used to scream at the other children who picked on them in England that they weren’t “YANKS”, they were “COON ASSES”. This time spent traveling as a child instilled in Jessica a lifelong love of travel, good food, and spending her time making memories and having adventures with those she loved most. 

Eventually the oilfield brought the Scott family to Texas, where she set down her roots. In 1984, she married her ex-husband, James W. Franklin, Jr., and not long after came their first daughter, Krystal. Nine and a half years later, in 1994, the two had their second daughter, Emily. Jessica shared her love of travelling, experiencing new places and cultures, the beach, and live music with her children. As her daughters grew older, Jessica frequently took them to concerts where they would spend countless nights belting out the words to their favorite songs and dancing like nobody was watching. Once her daughters created and found families of their own, Jessica enjoyed spending time with her granddaughters and showing them the beauty and whimsy of fairy gardens. One thing above all about Jessica: she wasn’t afraid to have a damn good time, and she left a little sparkle wherever she went. 

Jessica made her career at the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), starting in 1988, and she spent more than three decades supporting the Institute in a variety of administrative roles. She began her career in the Traffic Monitoring Program, then moved to the Materials Division, and eventually retired in 2020 as the Senior Administrative Coordinator with the Freight Shuttle Division. While employed by TTI, and in the 40 years she made her home in Bryan, Jessica made countless friends who would go on to be considered family. 

On November 8, 2025, while with her beloved Fallen Riders Foundation (FRF) members at the Lonestar Motorcycle Rally in Galveston, TX, Jessica had a traumatic accident that rendered her paralyzed. Her family and loved ones should find comfort that she is no longer in pain, her body is no longer broken, and she is at peace. She left this world on what would have been her own mother’s 79th birthday, making the comment before she passed that she would get to “see my momma for her birthday”. In her final months, Jessica chose to be cremated without a viewing as she didn’t want everyone to remember her the way she was at the end, but rather how she had been her entire life: full of life, laughter, and happiness. 

Jessica is survived by her daughters, Krystal Schnettler and husband Nick of Bryan, TX, Emily Franklin and fiancé Ben Waswick of Green Cove Springs, FL; grand-daughters, Olivia Schnettler and Addison Waswick; sisters, Scheryl Kelsey and husband Robert of Clarence, LA, Michelle Riddle and husband Chris of Goldonna, LA; and many nieces and nephews who she loved dearly. Her family was considered her greatest blessing in life. She is reunited with her parents: Terrell Carl Scott, Sr., and Joy Geter Scott; and starting trouble again with her brother, Terrell Carl Scott, Jr. 

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 3-5pm at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home in Bryan, TX to celebrate Jessica’s life and the love she leaves behind. For the family who cannot make it to Texas for this service, there will be a small graveside service held in Natchitoches LA. More details to come later.