Frances N Smith

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, on January 5, 1929, Frances was the daughter of Emory Stowe Neighbors and Carrie Johnson Neighbors. Frances graduated from Phillips High School in Birmingham in 1947. She received an art scholarship to Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University) where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Art in1950.

On November 26, 1954, she married Charles Francis Smith. Together they built a life in Vestavia Hills centered on family and faith and were happily married for 48 years before Charles death in 2002.

Following college, Frances worked in the drafting department at Alabama Power Company for six years before dedicating herself full-time to raising her family.

For more than sixty years, Frances called Vestavia Hills home and served her church and community in many ways. She shared her creative and artistic talents by painting sets for Vestavia Hills High School productions and the church's Parable Players, creating all the church bulletin boards as well as many other behind the scenes contributions. She was an active member and leader in the United Methodist Women, the Vestavia Hills Garden Club, Vestavia Hilltoppers, and the Vestavia Hills High School Band Parents Association.

Frances loved to travel with Charles, and after his passing, continued her adventures with friends through Hilltoppers. She never traveled abroad but managed to explore all 50 states with the exception of Alaska.

Frances will be remembered for her unwavering devotion and love for her family, her artistic talents, and her unselfish willingness to quietly serve her church and community.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Francis Smith; her parents, Emory Stowe Neighbors and Carrie Johnson Neighbors; her son, Dale Wayne Smith; and her brother, Ben Johnson Neighbors.

She is survived by her daughter, Sandra Homan (Tim) of Auburn, Alabama; her daughter-in-law Betty Burroughs (widow of Dale Wayne Smith) of Helena, Alabama; her grandsons, Chris Homan (Ashley) of Chicago, Illinois, and Matt Homan (Laura Lee) of Homewood, Alabama; and her four great-grandchildren, Cameron Homan, Parker Homan, Madelyn Homan, and Elijah Homan.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in the Rutland Memorial Chapel at Vestavia Methodist Church. Visitation with the family will precede the service beginning at noon. A graveside service at Elmwood Cemetery will immediately follow the Celebration of Life Service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

The family would like to thank Renee Lister, Bridget Dowdell and Linda Alexander, three truly special caregivers that blessed Frances' life immensely.