Frances Helms Gantt

COLUMBIA - A memorial service for Frances Helms Gantt, 94, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 1, 2018 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home. A private burial will be prior to the service in Crescent Hill Memorial Gardens.

Mrs. Gantt passed away Sunday, January 28, 2018. Born in Merry Oaks, North Carolina, she was a daughter of the late Flonnie Lasater Helms and Malcolm Franklin Helms.

Frances graduated from Bethune High School in Bethune, South Carolina, received her Bachelor’s Degree from Flora MacDonald College in Red Springs, North Carolina, and her Master’s from Columbia University in New York, New York. She taught school in Broadway, North Carolina, Laurinburg, North Carolina and Columbia.

She was a member of Cayce United Methodist Church. She was also a member of Kappa Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Civic Organization, where she was voted Woman of the Year of Beta Sigma Phi. Frances was a den mother for the Cub Scouts for five years; Girl Scout Neighborhood Chairman, and on the Girl Scout Board of Directors; PTA State Secretary and on the PTA State Board of Directors; a member of Lexington County Library Board; Columbia Area Mental Health Board; and member of Lake Murray Boat Club.

Surviving are her children, William David Gantt (Gale), Lynn Gantt Blackley (Mark), Richard Leonard Gantt, and Robert Michael Gantt.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, William Leonard Gantt and her siblings, Charles Leander Helms, Mary Alice Helms Harden and Kate Lasater Helms.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Frances’ name to Cayce United Methodist Church 1600 12th St, Cayce, SC 29033.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.