Frances Hargrove Smith

Frances Hargrove Smith, 85, of Birmingham, Alabama passed away Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2022. She was born July 19, 1937 in Chalkville to James Henry and Lillian Kathleen Hargrove in their family home. Frances attended Hewitt Trussville High School. As the school’s only acrobat, she took great delight in making up her own routines to go along with the marching band’s performances. She also designed and sewed her own costumes. Frances loved riding horses bareback and exploring the creeks and fields near her home. An accomplished swimmer, she spent her summers as a lifeguard at Camp Cosby. Her first real job was at Kress’ downtown Birmingham. After her high school graduation, she worked at State Farm. Frances married the love of her life, Gary, on June 15, 1956. After a fun honeymoon in Miami, they took up residence in Center Point, eventually building a home next to her grandparents’ original homestead on Old Springville Road. She and Gary loved family time at the lake, where she taught countless children how to water ski. Frances instilled in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren a love for playing games – always making everything fun, including chores. Even when in her late 70’s, she and her great-grandson Isaiah would leap and bounce around the house playing pirates, brandishing the wooden toy swords Gary had made for them! She loved adventure and was quite proud of herself for riding a camel in the Holy Land after she had turned 65! A dedicated Christian, Frances and her husband devoted themselves to ministry through Ridgecrest Baptist Church after becoming members in 1964. They acted in choir presentations, traveled on youth trips, served at the church’s Camp Joy, and supported missions in every way possible. But Frances’ greatest gift and deepest passion was for children. Along with teaching Vacation Bible School and working as a pre-school teacher for the church’s kindergarten, Frances faithfully taught children’s church for four and five year olds for over 50 years! She had an amazing gift with children, who loved and adored her. Truly hundreds of children through the years sat mesmerized as she told detailed stories that made the Bible come alive to the children in a very special way. She regularly received cards and letters from her “kids” or their parents referring to the impact her love and her stories made on their lives – how it helped to “begin their spiritual journey,” “taught them to love the Bible,” and “gave them a deep and lasting knowledge that Jesus loved them.” She also taught the children many special songs, but everyone knew her favorite was “Go Tell It on the Mountain” – not surprising for a woman whose prayers were always that all the boys and girls in the world would come to know Jesus. As a real estate broker, Frances and her husband Gary owned and operated three Century 21 Real Estate offices in the Birmingham metropolitan area. She was always so happy when she could help someone find the perfect home just for them! In 2001, they followed their dream and moved to Logan Martin Lake, where she enjoyed working as an agent at the office of Fields Gossett Realty until her retirement from real estate. But she never retired from her love of praying for and investing in the lives of others, listening to, encouraging and believing in them. Frances was a safe harbor to all! Frances was preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, Gary Lee Smith. She is survived by her daughter, Teri Lynn Smith; her son, Gary Alan Smith (Yulia); her four grandchildren Loni April Smith and children Madelyn, Isaiah and Moses; Lana Aubrey Smith Clark (Clayton) and children Camella, Kellen and Corrie; Chase Isaac Smith (Morgan) and children Anna Rose, Ada Lynn and Joseph Lee; and Caleb James Smith (Meghan). She is also survived by her brothers and their families: William Hargrove (Betty), James Hargrove (Susan) and by her first cousin Buddy Mewbourne. Visitation will be at Deerfoot Memorial Funeral Home on Saturday, December 3, from 12:00 to 1:00 followed by the Memorial Service at 1:00 pm. Directly following the service, the internment will be at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens in Trussville, Alabama.

Frances Hargrove Smith

July 19, 1937 - November 24, 2022