Frances Jean Weekly (87) passed away on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. She was the second of three children born to Willie Arthur Blair and Mary Juanita Overton, on December 14, 1931. Frances was preceded in death by her parents, sister Violet Corean Jones, brother Elmo Blair, daughter Cynthia “Cindy” Juanita Donald and grandson Barry Terrill McWashington.
“FJ”, as she was often affectionately called, graduated from Sumner High School in 1950. After graduation she attended cosmetology school where she earned her license and practiced her craft until the age of 81, when her health began to fail.
In 1950 Frances married Edward Donald, Jr. To this union four children were born: Keith Stanford, Cynthia Juanita, Wendy Jewell and Brian Edwin Donald. After twenty years of marriage, this union was dissolved. On August 11, 1977, Francis married Henry Weekly, Jr. whose two daughters Nedra Jones and Lynda Riley-Grisby were lovingly embraced. Their marriage sadly ended on Saturday, October 12, 2019, after 42 years of marriage.
Frances grew up as an active member of First A.M.E. Church located at 1111 N. 8th Street in Kansas City, Kansas. She remained a faithful member until 2001 when she and her daughter Wendy joined Trinity A.M.E. Church under the ministry of then Reverend Fran T. Cary. In 2005 Reverend Cary became Presiding Elder of the Northwest District of the A.M.E. Church. While at Trinity, she formed a personal relationship with Presiding Elder Cary, lovingly referring to her as her “adopted daughter”. Many laughs were shared, memories formed and prayers extended between them. “Mother Weekly”, as she was affectionately referred to, had a special place in her heart for Presiding Elder Fran Cary.
Francis was employed by the Internal Revenue Service on Banister Road for an extended number of years. She served at various hospitals, the old St. Margaret’s Hospital and Bethany Medical Center, as a Dietary Supervisor, in Kansas City, Kansas. She enjoyed working alongside her mother, Mary Blair with the Kansas City Kansas Cancer Action Society, serving as Neighborhood Leader and Activity Coordinator, a job she found most enjoyable. Frances and “Mother Mary”, along with her sister Violet, were long time members of the Jolly 16 Arts & Cultural Club. She enjoyed sewing, embroidery, ceramics, arts, crafts, gardening, cooking, baking and being with her family.
Frances leaves to mourn her devoted and loving husband, Henry Jr., sisters: Opal Jewell Hampton of Pasadena, CA, Rosie Johnson of Fontana, CA, sons: Keith (Lynn) of Lithonia, GA and Brian of Kansas City, KS, daughters: Wendy of Kansas City, KS, Lynda (Walter) of Kansas City, MO and Nedra of Kansas City, MO, grandchildren: Lurenna (Johnathan), Brian Jr. (Nancy), Ryan (Heather), Ricco (Frances), Kevin (Carmen), Lonnie, Brandon (Bonnie), Jason (Rain) and Cedric, 17 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson, along with many much loved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
