Frances Mizelle Foote

Frances Mizelle Foote passed peacefully on May 5, 2026 at the age of 97. She was born in Jacksonville, FL on March 4, 1929 to William and Estelle Mizelle. Frances graduated from Andrew Jackson High School and then attended Jacksonville University, where she was a cheerleader and enjoyed the claim to fame of naming the JU Dolphins basketball team. She was a natural athlete and excelled in diving and sailing. Frances was also an active girl scout.

Married to William (Billy) Foote in 1950, they were true trailblazers and soon settled along the “wilds” of Julington Creek where they spent many happy years raising their two children and enjoying creek life. Frances could usually be found down on the the dock cleaning her fresh catch of fish, crabs or river shrimp for an impromptu cookout, in the pool giving swim lessons to all the local kids, or working alongside Billy renovating and expanding their home. She became a skilled markswoman, defending the property from water moccasins and always winning the annual turkey shoot across from Arnolds store. She was an avid fisherwoman all her life and loved surf fishing at Summer Haven where she and her family spent many summers at their beach cottage.

Frances and Billy retired to Ponte Vedra, where she continued to pursue her love of the outdoors, playing tennis and golf, combing the beach for sharks teeth and, of course, fishing. After Billy’s passing in 1998, Frances stayed active with her many girlfriends, some who dated back to high school. Frances was a true friend and was always the first to show up at the hospital or with a home cooked meal for ailing or bereaved friends. Later in life, she honed her home building skills volunteering her time to Habitat for Humanity, building intricate dollhouses for her granddaughters and crafting several “Yahoo” game boards for friends and family. Her competitive nature was not lost on that and other games! Known as “Meme” in her later years, she was dearly loved by all her grandchildren and great grandchildren, as she always lead them on fun adventures and taught them to appreciate the natural beauty of Florida. She was also an active member of Palms Presbyterian Church.

Frances was preceded in death by her her husband William Foote, Sr., parents William and Estelle Mizelle, and brother William Mizelle, Jr. She is survived by her son William Foote, Jr., daughter Carol (Stephen) Siana, grandchildren Kathy Godwin, William Foote, III, Allison Tongiani and Ashley Siana, six great grandchildren and sister Betty Batts.

A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the Chapel of Palms Presbyterian Church, 3410 3rd St. S., Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Community Hospice of N.E. FL, 4266 Sunbeam Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32257 or St. Johns Riverkeeper, 2800 University Blvd. N., Jacksonville, FL 32211