Monday, April 11, 2022
I received the notice of Fran's April 30th funeral in the mail this past weekend. We last talked via phone a few weeks before her death. I have known Fran since 1990, when we both arrived on the scene in Wise Co., VA - she in Norton as the new Episcopal Priest, and I in Wise as the new United Methodist campus minister. Her friendship during those years was a real gift to me, and when I decided to leave the UMC denomination and move to the Episcopal Church, it was Fran who sponsored me for the priesthood discernment process, along with her parishes in Norton and St. Paul, VA. She was a faithful, hard working minister who understood rural, small-church ministry; one of the most intelligent people I have known; and always a valued and supportive friend. I think of her often, and I know many are saddened by her death, but also relieved that she no longer is suffering from ill health and the limitations that came with it. She would laugh at the idea that I count her as one of the saints of the church, but be secretly pleased that I held her such esteem. When I pray Psalm 27, I always think of her. At one period in her life, it was praying those ancient words that got her through a difficult time. May Fran rest in peace, and rise in glory.
