Frances E. Brown Abbott

Frances E. Brown Abbott, 98, went to be with our Lord Saturday, July 5, 2014, in Osceola. She was born Dec. 17, 1915, in Pontotoc, Miss., to Charles F. Sr. and Maude Bishop Brown. She was a long time resident of the Blytheville area. She graduated from Whitehaven High School in Memphis where she played on the women's basketball team that won their State Championship her senior year. She then met and married the love of her life, Garrett Abbott, and they farmed land in Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee until they retired. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Blytheville and was very active until her health declined. She took great pride in her family, church and community. She was a great example and maintained her wonderful sense of humor throughout her life.

Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Garrett Abbott; her parents, Charles and Maude Brown; one brother, Jim Brown; and one sister, Mary Clyde Lalikos.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Fred and Faye Abbott, Charles "Bug" and Carrie "Sissy" Abbott;

A daughter, Mary "Sudie" West and her husband Bob.

She was a special grandmother to Brett and Cate Abbott, Stacey and John Buckley, Lani and Heath Kull, Aaron and Angela Hanchett, Lori and Boss Manley, Lana and David Hoke, Kristi and Bret Wishon, Mikal and Kody West;

A great-grandmother to Charles Abbott, Samantha and Garrett Buckley, Britney, Mikela and Kylie Kull, Noah and Elle Hanchett, Chase Manley, Haleigh, Lauren and Harrison Hoke, Ryann Ann and Travis Bayer, Kyle Wishon, Meredith, Ellie and Garrett West.

She is also survived by two sisters, Martha Graham and Doris Hughes; and a brother and sister-in-law, Ruth Ann and Billy Brown; and

Numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express appreciation to Elmcroft in Blytheville and the Osceola Therapy and Living Center for the excellent care they gave our mother as her health began to decline.

The family will receive friend from 1-2 p.m. Thursday, July 1o, 2014 at Blytheville First Baptist Church Chapel and a tribute to her life will be held immediately following visitation at First Baptist Church Chapel.

Interment will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis or the First Baptist Church of Blytheville. All services are under the direction of Cobb Funeral Home in Blytheville. Condolences may be expressed to the family on line at www.cobbfuneralhome.com