Francis Merrell Tibbit

July 13, 1946 ~ September 23, 2021

Fran was born in Ruston, LA in Lincoln Parish, and graduated Quitman High School. During his career he worked for Hodge Paper Mill, Minden Shell Plant, returned to Hodge Paper Mill, Exxon Refinery in Baton Rouge as Instrument Tech and worked his way up to Maintenance Superintendent over the ROCC and OSCC (Refinery Operations Control Center) (Operations Services Control Center) over 47 ½ years, and he loved his job. Although, he wanted to make it to 50. During his career, he made so many close and special friends.  Fran said he had been there long enough in those computerized buildings to see IBM come and go. He married high school sweetheart, Edna, on Feb. 18, 1967. He is survived by his wife, Edna Kay Johnson Tibbit, and daughters:  Candice Darlene Boucher (Ronnie), Tassa Jeannice Avara (Brian), grandchildren: Courtney Megan Pennington (Jack), Whitney Paige Boucher (Durrell) , Brier Drew Avara, Brent Francis Avara (Abigail), great-grandchildren:  Brodie Mariana and Dani Magnolia Pennington, Demi Grey Desira, Luke Aaron, Ian Alexander, and Samuel Joden Avara, and one Avara on the way. He is also survived by his brother Jess Willard Junior Tibbit (Barbara), sister,  Brenda Gayle Tibbit Quarles (Jerry), and sister-in-law Shirley Ann Tibbit (Frank). He was preceded in death by: Brother Frank Henry Tibbit, and Parents Jess “Taw” Willard Tibbit and Leola Smith Tibbit. Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church of Livingston on Monday, September 27, 2021 beginning at 10:00am. Dr. Andrew Orr will conduct funeral services at 12:00pm. Burial will follow in Colyell Community Cemetery. He loved his family and adored his grandchildren. Fran loved the Lord. He was dearly loved for his genuine kindness, and to be pranked or picked at by him was his way of showing affection. Please sign the online guestbook at