Frances Todd Haslam

Frances Mae Todd was born in Brookhaven, Mississippi on November 22,1931. She was the only child of Fred Hampton Todd and Goldie Mae (née White) Todd.

Frances (know later in life as “Fran”) dedicated a life of service to the elementary school students she taught and to the Free Methodist Church which she lovingly and skillfully served in various capacities during her adult life. She was known for her genteel sweetness, southern cooking and hosting skills, and an unexpectedly sly sense of humor – known for occasional “storytelling”. These were coupled with a strength of will that one doctor described to be “tough as nails”. She was a wonderfully warm, supportive, and loving mother, grand- and great-grandmother.

Frances grew up in Jackson, Mississippi where she excelled in school, graduating early from high school and earning her degree from Belhaven College at the age of twenty. The following fall of 1952 she enrolled at Asbury Theological Seminary where she met the love of her life, Robert Bruce Haslam. They were wed on August 2, 1953, which was the beginning of a 62-year romance.

After Bob graduated from seminary in 1954, he and Fran served two Free Methodist churches where Bob pastored first in Dearborn and then in Bangor, Michigan. While there, Fran was recruited to substitute teach in a local elementary school which introduced her to an almost 20-year career in childhood education. From 1960 – 1964 Fran and Bob served as Free Methodist missionaries to the Philippine Islands, playing critical roles in the establishment of Light and Life Bible College in Butuan City, Mindanao.

After returning to the U.S. Fran taught school full-time in Winona Lake, Indiana while Bob served as an Executive in the World Missions Dept of the Free Methodist Church. Frances taught kindergarten and 3rd grade for many years, later serving as a reading specialist. During this time, she obtained a Master of Education Degree from the University of St. Francis in Ft. Wayne. Her skillful, patient, and empathetic presence positively impacted the lives of many children, some of whom remained in touch with her throughout her life.

For many summers during these years, Frances joined her husband as co-leader of Free Methodist World Missions tours in Central and Southern African countries, South America, and the Caribbean.

In 1982 Frances went to work for the Christian Education Department of the Free Methodist Church. And from 1988-97 she served as Director of the Marston Memorial Historical Center of the Free Methodist Church of North America, including overseeing the move of the entire collection from Winona Lake to Indianapolis, Indiana. She was lovingly dedicated to the preservation of Free Methodist heritage and history.

Fran’s was a life of devotion, as a gentle, kind, generous and thoughtful wife, mother, teacher, church member and friend. She was dedicated to serving others not out of obligation, but out of love.

Frances will be lovingly remembered by son, Daniel Haslam (Cynthia) of Everett, WA; daughter, Karis Haslam (Byron Merrick) of Baltimore, MD; four grandchildren, Rev. David Haslam (Jessica), Marcus Haslam, Philip Merrick and Sheridan Merrick and three great-grandsons, Micah, Rowan and Duke Haslam. Frances was preceded in death by her loving husband and life partner of 62 years, Rev. Robert Bruce Haslam in 2015.

Frances will be laid to rest beside her mother at Abbey View Memorial Park/Evergreen Washelli in Brier, WA in a family ceremony on December 28. Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2022, at 3:00 pm at the Warm Beach Senior Community Beachwood Lounge at 20420 Marine Dr., Stanwood WA 98292. Donations may be made in Fran’s memory to the Marston Memorial Historical Center at PO Box 51710 Indianapolis, IN 46251 or on-line at https://give.fmcusa.org/giveMarston