She was born in Whiteside, Tennessee on June 23, 1939 to the late Barney W. Lee and Eunice Gibson Lee.
Fran graduated from Marion County High School.
Fran had an entrepreneurial spirit and owned and operated a high fashion boutique and dress shop called, Shagbark which was located in St. Elmo for several years. Their family opened and operated Incline Hardware in connection with Abe Shavin. She also worked at East Ridge Hospital in the Billing and Coding Department in her later years.
She loved her husband and her church. She and EJ were founding members of Spring Creek Church of God.They also pastored Scenic City Church of God in East Lake for over 10 years . She was a devoted wife, mother and friend.
She was preceded in death by her husband of over 50 years, Edward Joe "EJ" Varner and her parents.
Survivors include her son Dr. Butch Varner and his wife, Jenny Manning Varner; two grandchildren, Joshua Varner and Micah Varner; beloved sisters, Mildred Lee, Betty Grimes, and Mary Lee.
Funeral services will be held at 10 AM Friday March 14, 2025 at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road with the Rev. Bennie Mills officiating.The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Old Lenoir City Cemetery where she will be laid to rest alongside her beloved husband, EJ.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Fran's honor may be made to the Fran Varner Memorial Fund, I/C/O of Mission Montessori, 4519 Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411.
