Mary Frances Nelms

Mary Frances “Franci” Jenkins Nelms, age 81, of Asheville, North Carolina, and Sevierville, Tennessee, passed away on July 15, 2026. Born on December 19, 1944, Franci was the beloved daughter of the late Dan M. Jenkins and Frances Davis Jenkins.

Franci was preceded in death by her sisters, Gladys Ducker and Nancy Clinedinst, and her brothers, Dan M. Jenkins Jr. and Wayne Jenkins.

A proud graduate of Lee H. Edwards High School’s Class of 1963, Franci was a contestant in the 1964 Miss Asheville Pageant. She went on to build a successful career as an award-winning cosmetologist and was the former owner of Brush ’N Touch Beauty Salon in Asheville. Later, she served as manager of Westover Park in Sevierville and enjoyed working with numerous entertainment shows throughout the Pigeon Forge area.

Franci was an active member of the Rhododendron Council of the Royal Arcanum. Her faith was an important part of her life, and she was a member of Reed Memorial Baptist Church in Asheville and a regular attendee of First Baptist Church of Sevierville.

She is survived by the love of her life, her husband, James H. Nelms Jr. (“Bo”), whom she married on September 3, 1966. She is also survived by her sisters, Jane Merrill and Debbie DeBruhl (Larry), along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Blue Ridge Cowboy Church, 49 Saxon Hill, Fairview, North Carolina 28730.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church Sevierville, Helping Hands Ministry, 317 Parkway, Sevierville, Tennessee 37862.

Franci will be remembered for her warmth, dedication to her family and friends, her strong faith, and the joy she brought to those whose lives she touched. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.