Frances Whitmire Little

Frances Whitmire Little,  of Gainesville, Georgia, passed away at home on Saturday October 31,  at the age of 90. After living a very healthy life for 73 years, she struggled with Alzheimer’s disease for the last 17 years of her life.

Frances was born on October 30, 1925 and lived most of her life in Gainesville.  She attended Clermont High School and graduated in 1943. She worked with Southern Bell before journeying to the west coast during WWII to marry her sweetheart, Frank Little. After the war, they returned to Gainesville and raised two daughters.  Frances began working outside the home when both girls were in school.  She  worked for 20 years at Chicopee Mfg. until they moved to Atlanta in 1968.  While in Atlanta, she received her real estate license and worked for The Georgia Institute of Real Estate. Later, she worked for Safeco Insurance Company in Atlanta as an underwriter until she retired.  Frank and she returned to Gainesville where they built a home on her parent’s old home place above a creek where she was baptized as a child.  Frank and she lived there until his death in 2010.  Frances continued to live there with loving caretakers until her death.

Frances was very creative and talented.  She was an avid reader, an accomplished seamstress, a decorator/designer, and an excellent cook. Her love for God, husband, daughters, family and friends never ceased.  As her language became muddled, her clear words were “I love you.”  She was a member of Dewberry II Baptist Church for many years until she and Frank decided to  make Mt Vernon Baptist Church (Frank’s family church) the church to raise their family.

She was preceded in death by her wonderful parents, Eston and Leona Whitmire; her loving husband of 67 years, Frank Little and three adorable sisters: Mary Virginia Ellis (Charlie); Ruth Coyle (Frank), and Tommie Helton; as well as brothers-in-law: Horace Sailors, John Henry Little, Paul Little, Ray Little, and Boyd Little; and  sisters-in-law; Nell Little Whitmire (George); and sisters-in-law Billie Little (Paul) and Bobbie Little (Jack).

 Survivors include two daughters: Carole Winn (Ed) of Atlanta and June Martin (Paul) of Athens.  Frances was a proud grandmother of five granddaughters: Holly Thompson (Mark) of Dillon, CO; Nikki Schmitz (Mike) of Atlanta; Natalie Hommes (Joel) of Philadelphia, PA; Kate Frances Wilhoit Schneider (Mitch) of Ft Collins, CO; and Lacy June Wilhoit Stubbs (Austin) of Denver, CO.  She has five great-grandchildren: Kellen and Taryn Wade; Aiden and Jake Schmitz, Layne Frances and  Elijah Rain Schneider; and Lennon Hommes. Sisters-in-law,  Dorothy Little Sailors, Virginia Little, Evelyn Little, Thelma Little and two brothers-in–law:  Edward Helton and Jack Little.  Frances is survived by many nieces and nephews whom she loved.

The family is grateful for the loving care provided by:  Connie Jarrard, Judy Oliver, Frankie Floyd, Amanda Kingrey, Tammy Barrett, Amanda Duren, Jessica, Patsy, and Tina during the past 15 years.  Their love and companionship brought comfort and security to Frances, Frank, and their daughters.

The family will receive visitors on Tuesday, November 3,  from 1 -2 p.m. at The Little and Davenport Funeral Home.  Services will be held at 2 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home.  She will be laid to rest beside her husband in the Mt Vernon Church Cemetery.

The family requests that any memorials be made to the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, 5233 Will Wheeler Rd., Gainesville, GA 30506 or the Alzheimer’s Association, Research Center, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.   

Those wishing to leave on-line condolences may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Hwy., Gainesville, is in charge of arrangements.