Frances Shirley Hart

Born to Martine Harrison and Robert Falany in Deland, FL on October 22 of 1942, Shirley was the first of four children, and a caretaker from the beginning.

Amongst the orange groves and fern fields of Seville, Crescent City, and Palatka, Shirley spent her youth caring for younger siblings, Bobby, Tinker, and Toni, roller skating, and fishing. She began work at a young age, picking fern, packing oranges, and didn’t seem to stop for the next seventy years.

Shirley married twice, and had three loving children. On St. Patrick’s Day of 1965, Shirley had her first child, Robert “Skeeter” Buckner, who brought her joy for only thirty-seven short years, and whom she thought of every day until her last. On the day after Christmas in 1977, Shirley had another holiday baby named Holly Charlene, and on Mother’s Day, 1980, she bore her youngest, Jessica Lynn.

Fern picker, meat packer, housekeeping supervisor, human resources, secretary, mother, and wife, were just some of the many jobs Shirley had to support her family. At home, she was an avid reader, an accomplished crocheter, seamstress, and cook. She loved to fish, to swim, or to sit by the banks of the St. Johns or Stella Lake, and watch the water. She loved dogs, big and small, chihuahua or pit bull, it was all the same to her. Most of all she loved to sing. Shirley attended many churches in her life, and always chose the ones with the best music. She was invited several times as a special guest to sing at church services, and had a booming alto that brought people from the next room to see just who was making such a joyful noise.

Shirley had little, but gave all that she could. No one left her home hungry, even (or especially) those who had no place else to go. She embodied the true Christian spirit, to love the Lord, and to love others. Her life was not an easy one, those around her not always kind, but Shirley was forgiving above all else, and believed always that there were better days ahead. She sang often, with anticipation, of the lights of that city where she now dwells forever.

She is survived by her youngest sister and greatest friend, Toni Simonton, her daughters, Holly Hart and Jessica Hart, daughter-in-law Madeleine Doiron, and loving grandchildren: Xzavier Smith, John Calvin Smith, King Elijah Smith, and Eloise and Felix Hart. She is pre-deceased by husband Joseph Hart, brothers, Robert and William Falany, son Robert “Skeeter” Buckner, and beloved granddaughter, Savannah Swan.

A farewell party will take place on May 22, 2023 at 7242 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32205 at 11:00 am. Bring your singing voices.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com for the Hart family.