Frances Lucille Jennings-Beasley

Frances Lucille Jennings-Beasley of Estero, Florida, passed away on January 11, 2018, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Frances was born January 20, 1944, to Clarence Curtis Pope and Myrtle Bell Craft Smith of Atlanta, Georgia. She grew up and attended school in Carrollton, GA., where she met and married Ronnie Charles Jennings, while he was attending West Georgia College. They made their home in Niceville, FL in 1959 raising their four children Tami, Tim, Tina and Gregg. Frances had many wonderful friends and family members in Okaloosa-County, she was extremely involved in the lives of her children, making a wonderful, loving home for her family, as her family meant everything to her. One of her favorite hobbies was sewing, with her keen sense of style, she sewed many of her daughters’ clothes and spent countless hours sewing their baton twirling costumes. Everyone marveled at her incredible Southern-style cooking, as she loved to entertain family and friends with elaborate dinner parties with typical southern hospitality flair. She made a positive impression on everyone she met with her beauty, grace and elegance as she lived her life to the fullest every day. Frances always saw the best in everyone and always made those around her feel important and loved. Everything she touched, turned out more beautiful than imagined as she nurtured all things around her. On most days you would find her in her flower garden tending to her roses; on the beach with her children and grandchildren or enjoying time with her many special girl friends that she treasured and valued over the years, especially Vonnie, Millie, Lucretia, Maureen and so many others. In all, her children and grandchildren were the light of her life and there is no doubt her legacy will continue to live on through each of them as she instilled a strong sense of confidence, pride, family values, faith and impeccable work ethics. While living in Niceville, Frances worked for the Okaloosa County School System for 15 years, where she held numerous elective positions, including President of the Okaloosa County Educational Office Association; State Legislative Representative; Niceville-Valparaiso Junior Women’s Club, and she served on the committee to bring the Okaloosa Community Concerts to the area; she was also a member of the local and national Republican Women’s Association. She treasured the many years of teaching Children’s Sunday School and getting to know all the children in her class. In 1986, she and Gregg, her youngest child, moved to metro Atlanta. Together they transferred their home and yard into a little piece of heaven. Most days you would find them side by side in their yard as they both shared a love of gardening and landscaping. Frances worked for Atlanta Gas Company and continued to her expand her many interest, hobbies and talents, especially in the Arts, Music, Interior decorating and fashion design. As a former designer and fashion model, she taught modeling and self-esteem classes for the City of Recreation Department of Kennesaw, GA, for several years. Eleven years ago, Frances met Bill Beasley in Mary Esther, Fla., and they married Christmas 2009. During their time together, they travelled all over the world, enjoyed theatre and arts, but mainly enjoyed companionship and devotion to each other. Frances will be remembered for her selfless devotion to her family, her love of life, and her wonderful sense of humor and grace. In the past 2 years of her illness, she never complained and always had a smile, as she never once wavered in her faith and her strong-will was a true testament to all of those around her. Frances was welcomed into heaven by her son, Tim Jennings, who died on May 10, 2013. Both mother and son died of the same pulmonary disease. God must have known how much Tim missed his mom, just as she was holding his hand five years ago when he took his last breath, Tim had his hand outreached from heaven to welcome his mom just as she took her last breath. Frances is survived by her husband, William L. Beasley, three of her four children, Tami Jennings Ofenloch, husband, Kevin; Tina Jennings Kroske, husband, John; and Gregg Jennings. Grandchildren Ryan Jennings, Rachel Jennings Sorrell, Hunter Jennings; Grace Gayle-Jennings; Austin Seals; Johnny and Tyler Kroske. Brother Robbie C. Pope, sisters Janet Johnson; and Brenda Sue Birch. Stepsons Bill and Tim Beasley. Preceded in death by her parents, her son, Timothy Ronald Jennings, and brother Aubrey Pope. Frances was incredibly close to her nieces Sherry Forester, of Niceville, Fla.; Vicki Ford, of Atlanta, Ga.; and daughter-in-law Cecilia Jennings Gayle, of Tampa, Fla. The family wishes to thank Dr. Newton and all the compassionate nurses and staff at Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice and Dr. Houtan Sareh, Pulmonologist, in Fort Myers, Fla, for the loving care of our precious wife and mother. In Lieu of flowers, we kindly request a donation to Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice Home, 27200 Imperial Parkway, Bonita Springs, Fla, 34135. There will be a time of visitation with family and friends on January 17th from 10 a.m. to Noon, at Heritage Gardens Funeral Home, with a memorial service celebrating her life starting at Noon, with the Reverend James T. Ross officiating. Immediately following will be her burial at Heritage Gardens Funeral Home. Heritage Gardens Funeral Home of Niceville is entrusted with the arrangements. Arrangements in Southwest Florida are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home.

Frances Lucille Jennings-Beasley

January 20, 1944 - January 11, 2018