Frances Gower Read, 89, of Leland passed away on Thursday, August 24, 2023. She was born on September 7, 1933, in Rexburg, Mississippi. She graduated from Leland High School and from Draughon’s Business College, where she studied secretarial sciences. She retired as an Employment Interviewer with the Mississippi State Employment Service. Frances was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Leland and was very active in the children’s ministry for many years, serving as a preschool Sunday school teacher and also leading the children’s sermon.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, John Read, Sr., her parents Lib, Sr. and Golden Gower, her brother Lib Gower, Jr., and sister Annette Brackeen.
She is survived by her daughter, Joy (Charles) Henderson; son John (Marilyn) Read, Jr.; granddaughters Meredith (Richard) Turner and Elizabeth (Caleb) Whites; great-grandchildren Eli Turner, Bonnie Mae Turner, Anne-Read Whites, and Kate Whites; and sister, Mildred (Biggie) Zeigler.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Leland Building Fund, First Baptist Church Leland Operation Christmas Child Fund, or Mississippi Baptist Children’s Village.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Indywood Personal Care-Indianola, the staff of South Sunflower County Hospital, Grace Hospice, and Dr. Hannah Ray.
A Celebration of Life Service for Frances and her husband, John M. Read, Sr., who passed away in 2021 will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 28, 2023, at First Baptist Church in Leland. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Monday at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Leland.