Mary Frances Benedict

She was proceeded in death by her husband of 39 years, Charles A. Benedict, Sr., her son, Charles A. Benedict, Jr. and daughter Susan Carolyn Poindexter, her parents Lora Mae and Decatur Franklin Standley.

She is survived by daughters, Helen Benedict, Julie B. Missimer, (Richard), Lisa Benedict and Kitty Benedict, Son-In law, Alan Poindexter, grandchildren Jason Farmer, (Miranda), Cassie M. McDowell, (Brad) and Sarah Missimer, great grandchildren Abby Farmer, Zachary Farmer, and Macy Carolyn McDowell.

Fran was born on December 12, 1932, to parents Laura Mae and Decatur Franklin Standley of Nashville, Tennessee. In the early 1950’s, she graduated from the Cathedral of Incarnation High School and Nashville Business College as a legal secretary. Fran was a full time Mom and enjoyed a 26-year career with the State of Tennessee, Department of Revenue.

Throughout her life Fran was a devout Roman Catholic. She spent her formative years as a member of the Church of the Assumption and the Cathedral of Incarnation. On February 27, 1954, she married Charles at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Later the family relocated to Hermitage, Tennessee and joined the parish of The Church of the Holy Rosary. After becoming homebound, she looked forward to her visits from Norman Baggett, Eucharist Minster from The Church of the Holy Rosary. Each Advent, family members and friends look forward to receiving her Christmas cards, often reflecting scenes of the Nativity and of course, enrolling you in Masses said throughout the year. She instilled her children with a deep faith of love, hope and charity. She reminded them to always remember “Except for the grace of God goes I.” She looked forward to daily Mass and saying the Rosary with Sister Angelica on EWTN.

Fran was an accomplished seamstress and upholsterer. She was an avid bowler and enjoyed playing bridge with her girlfriends of 40 plus years. She loved music and dancing. She even wrote a song sung at her husband’s funeral “Soul Mate.” Mom would choose reading a book over television. She would entertain us with stories and treasured memories of her childhood. She loved to travel. In her youth, she would ride the L & N Railroad from Nashville to Dothan, Alabama to spend time with her extended family. Two of her favorite trips included touring Hawaii and Alaska with her sister and family. She loved her family deeply. She was many things to all of us, and known to her loved ones as Mom, Sis, Nanny Franny, and Fran. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.