Born on December 17, 1926, in Blackfork, Ohio, she was the third of eleven children of Winfield Brock and Lillie Hendershot Brock. She married Lawrence Smith on December 15, 1945, just 2 days before her 19th birthday, and a few years later, they moved to Mansfield where they remained the rest of their lives. During WWII, she supported the war effort working at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Frances’ door was always open for the family whenever it was needed. She helped her mother raise her younger siblings after her father died. Later, she brought her mother into her own home to care for her in her declining years. Sunday afternoon dinners at home usually included beef and noodles made from scratch, and her cookie jar always held homemade chocolate chip cookies.
She lost the love of her life, Lawrence, in 1994. She missed him terribly for the rest of her life. Frances thrived on taking care of others. It gave her a purpose in life, especially after losing her husband. She was saved in the Baptist faith and followed God’s teachings her entire life. Frances will be greatly missed by her family.
She is survived by her two sons who were the light of her life, L. Michael and Roger Smith, and she was blessed with five grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and eight great-great grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at Wappner Funeral Directors-Ontario, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Road. The funeral service conducted by Pastor Matthew Pond will follow at 11:00 a.m. She will be laid to rest in Mansfield Memorial Park beside her husband.
