Frances Mae Frazier

Frances Mae Gresham Frazier passed away peacefully on August 31, 2026 at the Circle of Life Earlene Howard Hospice Home. Prior to her passing, she resided at The Grand Village at Clear Creek in Fayetteville and was a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on September 4, 2026 at the Benton Funeral Home Chapel in Fordyce, Arkansas, with Reverend Michael Ivy officiating. Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are Mike Gresham, Frank Gresham, Alan Frazier, Kevin Kauffman, Tom Tutt, and Dr. G. Rex Highfill.

Born in Fordyce on February 10, 1934, Frances was the daughter of Quinon Robertson Gresham and Mada Clement Gresham. A proud Fordyce Redbug, she cherished her schoolmates from the Fordyce High School class of 1952 and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in education from Arkansas Agricultural and Mechanical College (now the University of Arkansas at Monticello). She later received a master’s degree in school counseling from Henderson State University.

Frances began her long, impactful career in education as a secretary to the school superintendent. It was there that she met her beloved husband of 56 years, Marvin Frazier, who was then a history teacher and later retired as the superintendent of Greenwood Schools. A passionate educator, Frances taught Spanish, history, English, drama, and public speaking at Fordyce, Sparkman, and Greenwood Public Schools. During the turbulent transition of desegregation in the mid 1960s, Frances was among a small, courageous group of white educators assigned to cross the color barrier and teach at historically all-Black campuses—a strategy deployed during the initial stages of faculty integration. Rather than letting regional racial tensions dictate her classroom, she led with profound empathy, building deep, affectionate bonds with her students that she remembered fondly for the rest of her life. In the later years of her career, she continued her dedicated advocacy for students as a school counselor for both Greenwood and Harrison Public Schools.

A lifelong learner, Frances possessed an insatiable curiosity and a deep passion for history. This love for the past inspired her to mentor a group of junior high students from Greenwood, who went on to win first place at the National History Day competition in Washington, D.C., in the mid-1980s. Known for her expertise, she frequently judged local and state school history contests. Most recently, she dedicated her time to capturing the oral histories of surviving World War II veterans. An engaging and eloquent public speaker, she was frequently invited to present at churches, community organizations, and book clubs.

Before moving to Northwest Arkansas, Frances lived in Fordyce, where she was an active member of First Baptist Church and taught the Women’s Sunday School class. A gracious and welcoming hostess, she took great joy in opening her home to others, frequently entertaining church groups, community organizations, colleagues, friends, and family. Her hospitality spanned countless showers and parties, and she even took great pride in hosting a family wedding. Deeply involved in local civic life, she devoted her time to the Keenagers, the Dallas County Hospital Auxiliary, and the Sesame Club, which she proudly served as president for a time. She was also a member of the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association. In 2013, the Fordyce Chamber of Commerce named her a "Hometown Hero" in recognition of her lifelong contributions to the community.

Following the passing of her husband in 2013, Frances moved to Fayetteville to be closer to her family. There, she put her sharp English expertise to work as an invaluable editor for her daughter’s academic pursuits. In profound gratitude for her meticulous contributions, two university textbooks—one in clinical practice and the other in phonology—were dedicated in her honor. An avid animal lover, she also found great joy in caring for her beloved “grand-pups,” and frequently championed canine causes through generous contributions to dog rescues and charities.

No words on a page can truly describe the beautiful life Frances led. She possessed an inquisitive mind; her talent was immense, her humor infectious, and her kindness, never-ending. Above all, Frances’ greatest joy was her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Frazier; her parents; her brothers, Charles and Maurice Gresham; and her sister, Nova Jackson. She is survived by her son, Tom Rob Frazier of Fayetteville; her daughters, Annette Frazier of Little Rock, and Kimberly Frazier Highfill and her husband, G. Rex, of Fayetteville. She will be deeply missed by her brother, Jim Gresham, and his wife, Gwen, of Harrison; her sisters-in-law, Lucille Gresham of Waynesboro, Virginia, and Jean Frazier of Fordyce; as well as her loving nieces and nephews, who fondly remember her as “Aunt Bill,” and her many dear friends.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the staff at the Circle of Life Earlene Howard Hospice Home for the tender, compassionate care provided to Frances in her final days. Memorial contributions may be made to support their continued mission of care.