FRANCES (FRAN) MASTERS SMITH Obituary (1937 - 2019)

Frances (Fran) Masters Smith, 115 Southridge Drive died Thursday, June 20, 2019. Fran was born October 23, 1937 in Greeneville and was the daughter of the late Samuel William and Hattie Marie Ricker Masters. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Freddy Dean Masters, and by an infant brother. Fran was the granddaughter of George B. and Fannie McGaughey Masters and Crawford S. and Anna Gertrude Freshour Ricker. Surviving Fran are her sister and best friend, Carolyn (Bob) Isaacs, her brother, Bill Masters, nephews Randy (June) Masters, Mike (Tonya) Masters and David (Donna) Masters, a great nephew, Michael Masters and his mother, Tonia Masters, great nieces Candice Masters, Bree Masters Rozar and Jessica Masters. Fran was an honor student at Greeneville High School. After high school, she graduated from National Business College, and she later received her paralegal degree from Southern Career Institute. Fran spent the majority of her career as a judicial assistant to Federal Judge C.G. Neese in Greeneville and, later in Nashville when Judge Neese was on senior status. When he retired, Fran worked in the same capacity for Federal Judge R. Leon Jordan in Knoxville and, before her retirement, Federal Judge Thomas W. Phillips. Prior to her employment with the Federal government, Fran was very active in the Tennessee Young Republican Club having served as secretary for 2 years and as vice president for 2 years. She was named Outstanding Young Republican of Tennessee in 1974. Fran served as Governor Winfield Dunn’s and Senator William Brock’s Greene County Chairman. Fran never met a stranger and is survived by many friends. She was an avid cat lover and was never without one or two and, sometimes, three of her favorite pets. Visitation is Saturday, June 22, 2019 4-7pm at Jeffers Mortuary Downtown with the Funeral services in Jeffers Mortuary Chapel Downtown at 7:00 pm. Rev. Andy Blackwelder will officiate with Francis Lloyd, Esquire giving the eulogy. Graveside service will be Sunday June 23,2019 at 1 PM in Mt. Hebron Cemetery. Family and friends are requested to meet at the funeral home at 12 pm to go in procession to the Mt. Hebron Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Randy, Mike, David and Michael Masters, Johnnie Bill Ricker and Nickey King. Honorary pallbearers will be employees of Laughlin Healthcare Center and Amedisys Hospice. Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Hebron Cemetery, C/O Katrena Broyles, 40 Norma Drive, Greeneville, TN 7743, Greeneville-Greene County Humane Society, PO Box 792, Greeneville, TN 37744 or the charity of your choice. To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of FRANCES (FRAN) MASTERS SMITH, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.