Frances Milford

Now, let’s go back to the beginning. . .

Due to an error on her birth certificate (which was common at that time), her name turned out to be “Lou” Frances Smith. Her parents had intended it to be Loufrances (one word) Smith, but destiny prevailed and she was branded with the first name Lou. She once said that only her brother got to call her Lulu; otherwise, she was known strictly as Frances. Frances was born and raised in Bonham, Texas. From age 6 to 16, their entire family endured and survived the Great Depression. Even though life was tough for the entire family, she still managed to excel in her education while learning to play the violin at the same time. It was a hard time, however, she always knew her family was blessed to have survive it so well.

Before she graduated from Bonham High School, World War II began. Wanting to serve her country as best she could, after graduation, she moved to Dallas where she attended Draughon's Business School. Upon Business School graduation, she relocated to Washington, D.C. to work in the secretary pool for the war department; her area of support was correspondences and documentation of the Vice-President of the United States. She was always proud of that job.

It was in Washington D.C, where she met Douglas Bass and fell in love. Soon thereafter, she moved back to Bonham for parental support, and gave birth to her first son, Phillip Raymond Bass. Sadly, Douglas Bass never returned to her during, or after, the war.

Years passed. She moved back to Dallas where she worked at North American Aviation as a Clerk-Typist. Opportunities prevailed, so she changed jobs to be the clerk of the Traffic Bureau for the City of Dallas. After a few years, she wound up working at Sears & Roebuck in the layaway department.

Sears is where she eventually met Bill Milford, a carpenter who had recently returned from World War II. The irony of it all was - the predominant ad for Sears at the time was “Sear’s has Everything”. So I guess they REALLY did! Time passed and they fell in love. They were wed in Bonham, at the home of her parents, on December 12, 1948.

Four years into their marriage, William Stephen Milford was born. Two and a half years later (yes 2-1/2, not 1-1/2 – for those who know John) came the birth of John Ernest Milford.

From 1955 to 1960, she taught phonetics classes to the children in the neighborhood. This is where Stephen learned his vowels. John, who was too young to attend, picked them up from the other students during their class sessions while playing on the floor during the classes.

Time marched on and the boys grew, and grew, and grew. During the boy’s growth from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts to Explorers, Frances was very active in Scouting. At first, a den mother, then later a den mother coach. Over 10-years of her live was dedicated toward helping her boys, and other boys, grow into manhood. She was a beacon of compassion, warmth, and leadership all rolled together and saw both her sons achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, achieve the God & Country Award, and be leaders within the Order of the Arrow.

Finances being as they were and times getting harder, she started work at Texas Instruments. She stayed with T.I. from October 1960 through March 1980 working primarily as an assembly-line worker. During this time, she attended East Field Junior College in Mesquite and numerous business courses. Eventually, one year before her retirement at T.I., she was promoted to the position she had wanted for years and years - Corporate Executive Secretary at T.I. to the Manager of Facilities installations.

After retirement from Texas Instruments, she worked various jobs trying to make a living. Eventually, she wound up at the Signature Group Corporation – a company that marketed insurance plans via telephone. She worked there for quite a few years and eventually retired. Later, she went back to work there, earning a salary plus getting her small retirement stipend. And prior to the end of her career at Signature, she had a Supervisor named Dieter Siegelin. Over time, they became the best of friends. For about the last 10-years of her life, Dieter turned out to be her trusted and beloved companion and caregiver.

She was a very sweet, but tough old bird . . . Frances lived a hard life: surviving the Great Depression, struggling through World War II, worrying during the Viet-Nam War that Stephen & John (who were too young) would be drafted, surviving divorces, and filing for bankruptcy then paying it off at 100%. Physically, she broke her right hip bone at the Mesquite State Bank, broke her left femur (upper leg bone) at the movie theater, cracked her left hip bone at home, broke and her left humerus (upper arm bone) at home. Even with all of this, she rarely ever complained about pain. But somehow, she always remained sunny, positive, friendly, and compassionate – a truly remarkable lady.

Throughout her life, she also enjoyed playing the viola and violin, going to musicals, oil painting, talking during television shows more than watching them, reading, playing games and spending time with her family.

She lived for “family” and is survived by her 2nd & 3rd sons: William Stephen Milford and John Ernest Milford; her grandchildren (in order): Matthew (Matt) Raymond Bass, Deborah (Debbie) Lynn Bass, Beverly Christine (Chrissy) Bass, Brian Christopher Bass, Allison Renee Milford, & Brian Andrew Milford. She is also survived by many, many grandchildren and numerous Cousins and their families. One of her most recent thrills during the Christmas 2015 holiday season was getting to see her newest great-granddaughter, Avery Ryan Milford – this latest addition to her family gave her great joy.

In progression, she was preceded in death by her brother, Hershel Raymond Smith; her mother, Dola Frances (Fannie to some; Tom to others) Freeman-Smith; her father, Collie Raymond Smith; and her 1st born, Phillip Raymond Bass. Best we know, she also survived all other relatives her age and older.

This is not the end for Frances Milford. Her physical body will have a new residence at Grove Hill Memorial Park and her soul will begin a brand new existence. Heaven now has a new angel and she will live on in our memories.