Frances B. Minor

MINOR, Mrs. Frances B. "Fran," of Henrico, Va., passed away peacefully in her home Saturday, November 14, 2015. Mrs. Minor was a native of Chase City, Va., the only child of the late Mr. Watson Brittle and Mrs. Allie Marks Brittle. She graduated from Chase City High School and from Mary Washington College with a B.A. in Dramatic Arts and Speech and a minor in French. Mrs. Minor was a member of Mortar Board and included in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. Mrs. Minor was for many years a member and substitute Sunday school teacher of Northminster Baptist Church and later a member of Second Baptist Church. Mrs. Minor was a former teacher in the Richmond Public Schools and was a life-long volunteer, holding multiple board and leadership positions. Among the appointments and positions Mrs. Minor held and honors bestowed upon her were the following: President and Junior President, Virginia Federation of Women's Clubs, the largest volunteer, non-partisan, non-denominational organization for women in Virginia, Member, Board of Directors of the Virginia Federation of Women's Clubs Advisory Committee for the Virginia Treatment Center, President, Virginia Voice for the Print Handicapped, a radio reading service for the blind, President, Board of Visitors for the Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, Two-term President, Virginia Council for State Legislation, a legislative liaison for the Virginia Federation of Women's Clubs at the Virginia General Assembly for 30 years and a representative before committees of Congress, as well as in the Virginia legislature member, Governor's Commission on Children and Youth member, Citizen Task Force on Crime Prevention established by the Crime Commission. A tree was planted in Capital Square in Richmond in Mrs. Minor's honor for her service as a volunteer to the Commonwealth. A plaque was placed at the tree bearing her name and that of the Virginia Federation of Women's Clubs. Mrs. Minor had a long interest and participation in health, mental health, and in services to juveniles and young adults who had come under the purview of the law. She also served as a motivational speaker. Mrs. Minor gave generously throughout her life to the church, the Salvation Army and other charitable organizations. Mrs. Minor was married for six decades to her beloved husband, James M. Minor Jr., a Richmond attorney. She is survived by her two sons, James Watson Minor of Winchester, Va. and Thomas Bennett Minor of Henrico, Va.; and her sister-in-law, Marian Thomas Minor of Richmond, Va. The family of Mrs. Minor expresses its deepest gratitude to the caregivers who provided excellent care for her. She was treated as family. A memorial service for Mrs. Minor will be held on Friday, November 20, 2015, at 1 p.m. at Second Baptist Church, 9614 River Rd., Richmond, Va. 23229, with interment immediately following in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Va. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army, American Lung Association, Alzheimer's Foundation of America, or the Endowment Fund of the General Federation of Women's Clubs of Virginia.