Frances Ann Tomlin

Greensboro-Former North Carolina State Representative, Mrs. Frances Fish Tomlin, passed away at her home in Greensboro on Saturday, August 19, 2017. She was 92 and active to the very end. Born in Lincolnton, N.C. on November 18, 1924, she was raised in upstate New York then lived for many years in Concord, NC, where she brought up a loving and close knit family. She was a graduate of Queens College in Charlotte, N.C. and also attended Southwestern University (Rhodes College) and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government Senior Executive Program.

To call Fran a busy person was an understatement. Early in life she followed her husband, Naval physician, Dr. E. M. Tomlin to San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco and Bethesda, MD. When her husband left the service and moved to Concord she raised four children. Not content to stay at home she filled her days with activities that helped her community. A gifted vocalist, she sang soprano in the First Presbyterian Choir in Concord. Active in politics she sat on the city school board for many years. She organized for the Junior Charity League, managed the local Arts Council, was Chairperson for Meals on Wheels in Concord and was active in the Cabarrus County Medical Auxiliary. When her children graduated from high school Fran climbed onto a larger stage. She ran for the North Carolina General Assembly and joined the rarified sorority of females to break the glass ceiling in the state legislature. As a female member of the state house she was an inspiration to a younger generation of women, hoping to succeed in professions once held only by men. Following her term in the General Assembly she continued her service to North Carolina. She was appointed by the Governor as the director of the state Bicentennial Commission, charged with planning celebrations across the state. Following that she held several important positions in the N.C. Department of Human Resources. She was the Deputy Director for Facilities Services, Chief Assistant to the Secretary of the Department of Administration and Chief of the Child Day Care Section of the Division of Facility Services. After two decades in Raleigh, Fran started a new life in Greensboro where her daughter lives.

Anyone who met Fran would say she was a character. She loved her family and was just as devoted to her friends. She organized her female pals around the activities they enjoyed. There was a “World Series” crowd who would watch the fall classic together. There was the “Nasty Nine” who would congregate at the beach for bridge and fun times. And of course there were the trips to Europe, Alaska, New York and the beach with her close pal, Betsy Adams, the other half of the “Martini Twins”. Fran was a lover of Scotch, the beach, her church, her friends and her family. She loved to cook and when her grandson, Josh Adams, attended N.C. State, she hosted lavish meals for Josh and his friends. On beach trips she stayed up late at night teaching the youngest members of the family to play poker. She loved to watch sports and despite the fact that two sons and one grandson attended N.C. State, and only one son went to Duke, she was devoted to Duke basketball.

Life was precious to Fran and she will be missed by her four Children and their spouses, Ann and Trip Adams of Greensboro, N.C., John and Pamela Tomlin of Ipswich, MA.,

Tracy and Lu Ann Tomlin of Charlotte, N.C. and Michael and Gail Tomlin of Key Largo, FL. She also leaves behind six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday August 25, 2017 at 11am at First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro. Visitation will follow the service in the Virginia Gilmer room at the Church.

The family wishes to thank Hospice of Greensboro and Spring Arbor of Greensboro for their help and caring. Instead of flowers the family suggests memorials to First Presbyterian Church, Music Fund, 617 North Elm Street Greensboro, NC 27401, a favorite charity of Fran’s.

Online condolences may be sent to www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.