Frances Lancaster

Frances Joyner Lancaster passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on January 12, 2021.  She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Charles Floyd Lancaster, her parents, Emmett Vernon Joyner and Josephine Warf Joyner, and two older half-brothers, Russell L. Briley and William Allen Briley.  She is survived by her two children whom she loved more than anything, James C. Lancaster and Elizabeth Lancaster Banton (James Lee).

Frances was born and raised in Jarratt, graduating from Jarratt High School in 1947. After a brief period of employment in Richmond directly after high school, she married Floyd, the love of her life, and returned to Jarratt to be his wife and become the mother of their two children.  She took a job at Johns-Manville in Jarratt, working mostly as a payroll clerk, stayed on through the sale of the facility to Georgia-Pacific and eventually retired from G-P in 1990.  Along with her husband, Floyd, she was proud to be a member of the Johns-Manville Quarter Century Club.  Frances remained in Jarratt until the end of 2015 when she relocated to Richmond.

Frances found joy and fulfillment in every aspect of her life.  She was completely involved in the lives of her children and their projects, always being their number one cheerleader, and she derived a great sense of satisfaction from her job as a payroll clerk as well, making every effort to ensure that her fellow employees received all of the wages, salaries and benefits they were entitled to.  Frances loved to cook, especially when she could experiment with a recipe and add her own personal touch to it.  She taught herself to crochet and knit, completing many projects in both styles.  Frances cherished her friends, many of whom she had known for most of her life and she loved all animals, especially cats, which she frequently adopted as pets and which became cherished members of her family.

Frances spent her last years in Richmond at Windsor Senior Living where she made many new friends among both the other residents and the staff.  Frances' family wishes to express their profound gratitude to the many individual caregivers, both in Jarratt and in Richmond, who assisted Frances with her day-to-day needs over the many years she was in their care.  She couldn't have faced this journey without you.

A graveside service was held for Frances with her immediate family in attendance on January 15 at High Hills Cemetery.  Anyone who wishes to honor Frances' memory is encouraged to make a donation in her name to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America or to any other reputable charity supporting vital research to find a cure for Alzheimer's.

Frances will be missed by everyone who knew her, especially by her family who loved her very much.  The world around us is a little less bright without Frances in it but now there's one more star in the heavens above to illuminate and guide our way.

"There is never any doubt as to how to find Frances.  If you hear someone talking in an animated voice or gayly laughing -- that's she."