Fran Tomlinson

Fran Tomlinson, 51, of Jonesboro, died Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at the Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House after a 13 year battle with breast cancer. She was born in West Helena and had lived in Jonesboro since 1979. Fran was an active member of Nettleton Baptist Church. She had served in many capacities at the church. She was a Sunday School teacher, worked in Vacation Bible School, Kids Day Out Program, and was director of the College and Career Program. She graduated from Arkansas State University with a BSE in Education. She had been a classroom teacher at Newport and Trumann. She was a dedicated teacher and touched the lives of many students at Ridgefield Christian School. In her tenure at Ridgefield, she had been a classroom teacher, assistant administrator, and an administrator. She loved cooking and reading and working with her flowers. She loved the beach and her dogs, Hildi and Sammie.

She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Joe E. Tomlinson, Jonesboro; her children, Margaret Ann (Ernesto) Reyes, Maribeth Tomlinson, all of Jonesboro; her dad and loving father and mother, D.L. & Patricia Bailey; her brothers, Artie Henderson, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Beau (Sandie) Henderson, Jonesboro, David (Melissa) Bailey, Australia; her sister, Tammy (Frank) Crawford, Jonesboro; and was “Mimzy” to her grandson, Lucas Reyes.

She was preceded in death by her father, A.C. Henderson; brother, Don Henderson; maternal grandparents, Warner & Margaret Williams; and paternal grandparents, Nelson & Lola Henderson.

Funeral services will be Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Nettleton Baptist Church with Dr. Stan Ballard officiating. Burial will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery. Emerson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Active pallbearers will be Greg Mooneyham, Jacob Watson, Benji Crawford, Michael Harris, Lee Crawford, and Ernesto Reyes. Honorary pallbearers will be all of her former students.

Visitation will be Friday, December 2, 2011 at Emerson Funeral Home from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that consideration for lasting memorials be given to Show Hope, P.O. Box 647, Franklin, Tennessee, 37065, www.showhope.org.