Frances Gower Morton

Frances Gower Morton (Fran) of Sanford and Lake Helen Florida passed away Thursday, July 28, 2022. She was 3 days shy of her 100th birthday. She is survived by her son, Michael Morton of Lake Mary, Florida; her daughter, Michele Morton Ashton, of Lake Helen Florida; her granddaughter-in-law, Melissa Pinder, and great granddaughter, Jayden Pinder, of Altamonte Springs, Florida; and her niece, Paula White of Sanford, Florida. Her husband, Conover "Mort" Morton, and her grandson, Jayson Pinder, both predeceased her.

Fran was born in Loganville Georgia on July 31, 1922. She graduated from Monroe High in Monroe, Walton County Georgia in 1940. She played on the Monroe High Women's Basketball team. This small-town basketball team surprised the state by winning the Georgia State Women's Basketball Championship that year. In April of 1942 at age 20, Fran went to work for the Army Signal Corp traveling to Ft Monmouth, New Jersey for the job. She worked with the scientists that were trying to prove radio waves could be bounced off the moon. She lived in Asbury Park NJ to be close to the base; she met her husband Conover (Mort) Morton when he returned from Naval duty in World War II. She was married in June of 1946 and began her travels as a Navy wife. Fran and Mort moved to Sanford in 1962 when her husband was stationed at the Sanford Naval Air Station. She and "Mort" were married for 60 happy years.

Fran was active in the Bath and Tennis Club, and she loved to Bowl in the Sanford Women's League. She won many trophies and served as an officer in the league in a variety of positions. She was a member of the Sanford Woman's Club serving a term as Vice President. She was in the Garden Club of Sanford serving 3 terms as President and spearheaded fundraising for a new roof for the building. Fran was a direct descendant of a patriot of the Revolutionary War and was a member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. She served as Treasurer of Seminole county's Sallie Harrison Chapter NSDAR. Fran was a doer, so upon retiring from Dearborn Electronics she began volunteering for many causes in Sanford. She became a senior volunteer for Seminole County in the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. She volunteered at the Emergency Food Assistance Program for over 20 years.

Fran was a very active member of Westview Baptist Church, joining the congregation when it was a small church in Ravenna Park. She was smart, outgoing and made life fun for all those around and with her. She always had a positive attitude and could tell a good joke with flair. Fran loved her Savior, her family, her church and her country. She and Mort both loved Sanford. She impacted many peoples' lives and will be greatly missed by all.