Frances Elkinton

Marie Frances Elkinton was born on February 27, 1922, in Genoa, Texas to George Washington Trowbridge and Marie Frances (McGowen) Trowbridge. She attended school in Genoa until moving to Houston where she graduated from Charles H. Milby High School in 1938. She then attended the University of Houston at the new campus, which at that time had only two buildings, the Science Building and the Roy Cullen Building which was home to the Music department. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Music, and a Master’s Degree in Music Education. While attending the University of Houston the Music Director encouraged her to audition for the Houston Grand Opera. But life had other plans for her. When her Mother passed away in May 1942, just before her graduation from the University of Houston, it became necessary to help her Father raise her younger sister and brother. With many of the men overseas during World War II, it became necessary for the women to fill many different jobs, so she went to work for Shell Oil in Deer Park, Texas. After the war, with the servicemen returning home, women were no longer needed for these jobs.

She then went to work for Sears, Roebuck and Company in the credit department. During her years at Sears the credit department moved many times, giving her the opportunity to work in many of the Sears stores in the Houston Group, Main Street, Sheppard, Wayside, the Sears warehouse, and finally the Pasadena store. While working at the Pasadena store she was offered the position of Manager’s secretary. She worked for many store managers until her retirement from Sears in 1987.

On December 9, 1955, she married Charles Harold Elkinton, at Magnolia Park Baptist Church. Their only son, John Charles Elkinton, was born on January 24, 1957.

Music was always a big part of her life and one of her greatest pleasures. She began singing in the choir at a very early age. During her life she was a member of the choir at First Baptist Church of Genoa, Golden Acres Baptist Church, Magnolia Park Baptist Church and finally at Park Place Baptist Church. Frances and her husband Harold attended the first service in the new sanctuary for Park Place Baptist Church on Broadway in Houston in 1962. The next Sunday they transferred their memberships from Magnolia Park to Park Place Baptist. She was always in demand to sing at wedding and funerals. She often sang for installation at Masonic Lodges, Eastern Star Chapters, Odd Fellows Lodges, and Rebecca Assemblies.

Because her Mother and Grandmother were both named Marie Frances she always went by her middle name Frances.

Over the years Frances belonged to many different organizations. While attending the University of Houston she joined the Phi Beta Music/Performing Arts Sorority. She was a proud member of many of the Masonic Affiliated Ladies organizations. Frances was the first lady in Texas to preside over four of the Masonic Ladies organizations, serving as Worthy Matron of Pearland Chapter No. 1065; Charter Royal Matron of Houston Court No. 2, Order of the Amaranth; Worthy High Priestess of The Cross of Texas Shrine No. 1, Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem; and President of Park Place Assembly No. 205, Social Order of the Beauceant. She was also a member of Tabeel Temple, Daughters of the Nile, for many years. She served as Supreme Shrine of the Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem as Supreme Queen in 2004-2005.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Knights Templar Eye Foundation or the building fund of Faith Springs Baptist Church in Pearland.

A visitation for Frances will be held Wednesday, September 29, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Forest Park East Funeral Home and a funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Forest Park East Cemetery. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Elkinton family.