Frances Melton Mcdonnell

Frances Melton McDonnell, 92, died peacefully on November 18, 2020 at Anderson Regional Medical Center, following a brief illness.  At her request, the family will have a private graveside service. Robert Barham Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Frances almost made it to the 77 ^th celebration of her Sweet Sixteen birthday, never having acknowledged being older. Born January 22, 1928 in beautiful Inverness, Mississippi, celebrated as Senior Class President, Most Beautiful, and Football Queen at Inverness High School, Frances attended Ole Miss where she met her husband, Archie McDonnell. Married in 1948, she called him “Butch” until he predeceased her ten years ago. A gracious lady, Mother, Grandmother and Great-grandmother and wonderful cook, Frances enjoyed regular trips to New Orleans and twice a year trips to Paris with Archie, where they knew all the best restaurants even though neither spoke a word of French.

Frances was also preceded in death by her parents John Vernon Melton and Louise Bradley Melton, her brother John Vernon Melton, Jr., her sister, Zulene Melton King, and her son John Melton McDonnell. She is survived by her daughter and caregiver, Catherine M. Hall (Maurice),  son Archie R. McDonnell, Jr. (Mary), daughter in law Vicky McDonnell, seven grandchildren, David Hall (Isabelita), Catherine H. Laurenzi (Ben), April M. Clodfelter (Alan), Mary Frances M. Snyder (Ben), Archie Reeder McDonnell, III, Carrie M. Wadlington (Jim), and Jennifer M. Northam (John). She is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and special caregivers and friends Sally Neville and Betty Howells.

From the days when her children were small, Frances always had an electric train running around her Christmas tree and made her annual Halloween appearance as Casper the Friendly Ghost for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Frances was happiest when she was outside working in her flower beds. She was especially known for her ability to grow beautiful roses. After an afternoon of digging and planting, she would relax by sitting on her patio with a glass of ice water and talking to the birds in her backyard. She was a master of imitating their songs, so much so that the birds talked back to her.

Frances loved sharing her delicious pound cake with family and friends and in her later years, she gave generously to causes she held dear: Central United Methodist Church, Wesley House Community Center, Aldersgate Retirement Community, the Choctaw Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian, Lamar School, and others. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial gifts to any of these charities.