Frances T. Hartley

Mrs. Frances T. Hartley, 81, of Buckatunna, MS passed from this life Friday, January 10, 2020 at her residence. She was born in Wayne County, MS on Friday, August 5, 1938 to Luther Taylor and Gladys Donald Taylor. She was a member of Progress Assembly of God Church. Through the years, Mrs. Frances served the people of her community well by holding numerous positions and job titles in Wayne County. She was a legal secretary from 1961-1965. She served as Deputy Chancery Clerk from 1966-1969. She then worked part-time in the Wayne County Sheriff's Office and Tax Collector's Office for two years. From 1972-1975, she served as Deputy Circuit Clerk. Mrs. Frances was Director of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, served on the Mississippi Circuit Clerks Association, and was on the Guidance Committee of the Wayne County Vocation-Technical Center. She was the Secretary/Treasurer of the Business and Professional Women’s Club. She was the first lady to be elected to public office in Wayne County, proudly serving from 1976-1983 as Circuit Clerk. Mrs. Frances retired from Freeman Funeral Home after working for 27 years as Pre-Need Sales Manager. Mrs. Frances is preceded in death by her first husband, Charlie J. Stewart, Sr.; second husband, Gerald N. Hartley; father, Luther Taylor; mother, Gladys Taylor; son, Charlie J. "Bubba" Stewart, Jr.; son-in-law, David Clark; 2 brothers, William Lawrence Taylor, Fredrick N. Taylor; 2 sisters, Ruth Louise Taylor, Mildred Gladys Hammonds. She is survived by her son, Richard N. "Rick" Hartley of Gulfport, MS; daughter, Teresa Clark of Buckatunna, MS; aunt, Myrtis Morris of Ellisville, MS; sister, Myra Waller (Clifford) of Buckatunna, MS; 3 granddaughters, Tara Rigdon (Nathan) of Laurel, MS, Amanda Grabert (Joshua) of Columbus, MS, Casey Clark of Buckatunna, MS; 2 great granddaughters, Katie Grabert, Allison Grabert both of Columbus, MS; a host of nieces and nephews. Visitation for Mrs. Frances will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Sunday, January 12, 2020 at Freeman Funeral Home, 1305 Skyland Drive, Waynesboro, MS. Funeral Services will follow at 7:00 PM Sunday, January 12, 2020 at Freeman Funeral Home in Waynesboro, MS with Rev. Kenny Morris, Rev. John Brown, and Damon V. Kirkland officiating. Interment will be in Progress Cemetery.