Pastor Martha Frances Dunn-Simon “Frances” passed away Friday, September 16, 2022 at 2:22 PM in Lansing, Michigan. She was born March 3, 1930 in McConnell, Tennessee to James Robert and Mozelle Edith Hastings.
Frances married Thomas “Tom” L. Dunn on June 22, 1946. They raised 4 children together - late son, James “Jim” R. Hastings; surviving are son, John W. Dunn; daughter, Dana M. Jackson (husband Mel); daughter, Lisa J. Davis (husband Russ); many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Frances later married LeRoy “Si” Simon on October 2, 1999 and is survived by her stepchildren, Mark Simon, Karen Cuff (husband Bill), Lance Simon; and grandchildren.
Frances is preceded in death by her parents, James Robert and Mozelle Edith (Moss) Hastings; first husband, Thomas “Tom” L. Dunn; second husband, LeRoy “Si” Simon; son, James “Jim” R. Hastings Jr.; daughter-in-law, Carolyn Hastings; daughter-in-law, Chick Dunn (surviving husband, John W. Dunn); granddaughter, Amy Jo Dunn; granddaughter, Julie Marie Hastings; brother, Bill Hastings, sister in law Pauline Hastings; and great-great-niece, Sabrinia Marie Hastings.
She was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She was the pastor of Faith Tabernacle of Lansing and a powerful woman of God!!! On Mother’s Day in 1952, she reluctantly attended a church service held at the YMCA. She was in such a sorrow of her mother’s death but the Lord had the stage set for her. He sent a gentle, soft-spoken Englishman to bring her this message. All she heard and remembered during the service was, “Lovely Jesus”. He seemed to say it over and over, and that was who Jesus has been to her since that day. It changed her life forever. She dedicated her life to The Lord. Her life and testimonies changed the destiny of many lives. To God Be The Glory!!!
A visitation for Frances will be held Wednesday, September 21, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 900 East Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI 48912. A funeral service will occur Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 1:00 PM, with a one-hour prior visitation from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 900 East Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI 48912. Following the service, Frances will be laid to rest in East Lawn Memory Gardens, 2400 Bennett Rd, Okemos, MI 48864.
Serving as pallbearers are Ronnie Jackson, Thomas Dunn, Jim Hastings, Randy Hastings, Billy Hastings, Britt Bass, James Fogarty, and Clint Sandford.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Dunn-Simon family.
