Frances Jones Dyer

Born Frances Irene Jones on Feb. 13, 1926 in Stott’s City, Missouri, Frances was the youngest of five siblings who remained a closely-knit clan throughout their lives. There was a grand celebration in heaven on Monday as the whole family welcomed her home one final time.

After graduation from Carthage High School in Carthage, Mo., Frances attended business school at Joplin Jr. College, and then earned her teaching degree from Peabody Teaching College in 1949. She returned to Carthage to teach shorthand and stenography. In 1950 she married Harold Dyer, a young man she had been corresponding with during the war, whom she met while he was stationed at boot camp at Camp Crowder. The newlyweds moved to Troy, New York where she continued to teach.

The Dyers returned to Nashville in 1952 for Harold to further his education via the G. I. Bill at Vanderbilt. After raising her children, Frances pursued work outside the home and was a highly-valued secretary for several prominent lawyers at the Internal Revenue Service, retiring after a decade of dedicated service. She could take a shorthand dictation as fast as you could speak it!

Frances was a great advocate for Primary school and dedicated over 20 years in the First Grade Sunday School Department of First Baptist Church, Nashville, where they were members for over 60 years. She was often a contributing editor for the Sunday School Board Primary Curriculum. She loved to sew and arrange flowers. Her skills as a hostess were the stuff of legend around the halls of FBC and she found great joy in each event. The Dyers were avid campers and boaters and spent many a Friday packing up the camper to hit the lake before sunset.

However, her greatest joy on earth were her three children, Carole, Dan and Linda to whom she was an indefatigable source of support and encouragement. She was absolutely besotted by the laughter of her eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. And, she never wasted an opportunity to bake a birthday cake! We will keep those memories as we go on. In addition to these, she leaves behind the love of several nieces and nephews who will remember Aunt Frances for her big smile.

Frances leaves behind a legacy of faith in the One Almighty God, the example of sacrificial love, the challenge of unending commitment to your loved ones and the ability to win at absolutely any card game no matter if it’s her first time to play or not! In truth, we were the winners for having her on our side and as our help on earth. But, we know Daddy is a happy man to be re-united with his love. We will be together again. Death has lost its sting.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the WMU of First Baptist Church Nashville, or Alive Hospice of Nashville.

Frances was an active part of this Women’s Missions Ministry at FBC Nashville for over 30 years.

Make checks payable to: FBC Nashville. Memo for: Memory of Frances Dyer, WMU.

Address: First Baptist Church

Attn: Marilou White

108 7th Avenue South

Nashville, TN, 37203

Alive Hospice provided exceptionally caring support for Frances and family. We are very grateful to them.

Make check payable to: Alive Hospice of Nashville

1710 Patterson Street

Nashville, TN, 37203