Frances Olivia Sottnek

Frances Olivia Adkins Sottnek died at home Sunday of complications following a stroke. She was 92. A native Atlantan and the only daughter of two native Georgians, Frances was born in Midtown, graduated from North Avenue Presbyterian School (NAPS) and attended the University of Tennessee. She completed her training in medical laboratory technology at Duke University Hospital. Upon her return to Atlanta and after starting a family she held medical technology posts at Fort McPherson Army Hospital and at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). At CDC her work in the Special Bacteriology Lab identified bacteria cultures on behalf of hospitals and health authorities from throughout the U.S. and overseas. During her decades-long CDC career she was the author or coauthor of numerous scientific articles. Frances was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 50 years, Dr. Henry M. Sottnek, a microbiologist. Frances and Hank enjoyed foreign travel, golf, cooking, family, their many close friends and each other. In retirement, Frances helped lead a successful effort by community volunteers to prevent the demolition of Atlanta’s Buckhead Branch Library. She is survived by her son Michael Riggall of Atlanta and his wife Jeanne, her son Steven Riggall MD of New Wilmington, Pa. and his wife Gail, her son Chris Riggall of Atlanta and his wife Kitsie, and four beloved grandsons: Hunter, Chart, Nick and Forrest Riggall. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday at 2:30 PM at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Antioch Baptist Church, PO Box 309, Stephens, Ga., 30667, Attn: Jean Moore, or to the charity of your choice.