Frances graduated from Bay County High School in Panama City, Florida, and received her BA degree in history and piano from Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama. She then received her Masters degree in history from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and pursued a Doctorate in history from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. As an historian, she was particularly interested in the lives of President Andrew Jackson and his law partner John Overton. Her research on Jackson and Overton was utilized in works on Jackson (The President's Lady) and in articles in the University of Tennessee Law Review.
Her professional teaching career spanned over 40 years from Huntingdon College to graduate fellowships at Vanderbilt and Tulane, Florida State University, and culminated in a 25 year career at Arkansas A & M College (now the University of Arkansas at Monticello) where she taught thousands of students the joys of learning History of the Old South, Western Civilization, and English History.
Following retirement from UAM in 1987, she enjoyed the health to pursue her lifelong interest in Western European History by traveling to Europe to visit the many sites of which she had taught throughout her career.
A lifelong Episcopalian, she was a member of St. Mary's Church in Monticello.
Visitation will be at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral home, Tuesday, July 28 from 5:30 pm 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham, Alabama, Friday, July 31 at 10:00 a.m. The Family requests that in lieu of flowers that memorials be made to the University of Arkansas at Monticello or to St. Mary's Church.
Condolences(25)
Patrick McGinnis
Edmond, OK Tuesday, September 1, 2015 I'm sorry to see Frances Daniels go. I'm so sorry Bill.Patrick McGinnis
Jackie Erwin McKeown
Tillar, AR Saturday, August 22, 2015 Loved Ms Daniels. I'm sorry for being so late with my condolences. I had many interesting classes at UAM-she would always add side bits. Like drawing a line up the back of your leg with black eyeliner to make others think you wore the stockings with the line in the back! That was my favorite.Terry Hawkins
Dumas, AR Monday, August 3, 2015 One of my favorite people from my time in Monticello. Anyone Martha Jane Ballard Hawkins thought that highly of was OK in my book and i enjoyed our visits. Sorry for your loss, Billy. She was one of a kind.Royce Dickerson &Diana Acrey
Monticello, AR Friday, July 31, 2015 Bill,We are sorry to hear of your moms passing. You are in our prayers. Let us know if there is anything we can do for you.
Royce & Diana
Allen and family
rita donaldson
Tillar, AR Friday, July 31, 2015 Mrs. Daniels was one of my favorite teachers. She has inspired methroughout my 40 years of teaching social studies. I loved her
very much and she always remembered me when I saw her.
1975 UAM graduate.
Philip Holthoff
Dumas, AR Tuesday, July 28, 2015 I was saddened to hear about her passing. I majored in history and she was one of my chief instructors. I enjoyed visiting her after class on many occasions. She will be missed!Kimberly Fletcher
Monticello, AR Tuesday, July 28, 2015 Bill, your mother was a wonderful friend to my children when they were younger. We lived around the corner from her for several years and she was very sweet to them. After we moved across town she still made a point to visit. She and my son, Rex, shared a love of baseball. She was a good woman, and she loved many.... You have my deepest sympathy in your loss.Allen Chandler
Wilmot, AR Tuesday, July 28, 2015 While at UAM from 1977-1981, I had the privilege of being in several of Mrs. Daniels' classes. There was never a dull moment when she was in the room! Mrs. Daniels had the ability to keep your attention as well as to keep the lecture interesting. She was always the same when you met up with her on campus. I have many fond memories of her and am saddened to hear of her passing. May the Lord give strength and comfort to her family now and in the days ahead.Don and Linda Byrd
Clarksville, AR Tuesday, July 28, 2015 Billy, So sorry to learn of Francis' passing. She was a good friend to me while we lived in Monticello and I realized her true love for teaching as her student. She was a strong person and very comfortable in her own skin. I learned a lot from her. My memories of her are pleasant ones.LARRY LEVI
Hot Springs, AR Monday, July 27, 2015 Please accept my deepest condolences > Frances Daniels was without a doubt the finest professor I encountered in my undergraduate days. I took her classes in summer school and never wanted to miss a class especially Western Civilization! I remember on one occasion when Lyndon Johnson was speaking in Texarkana she said it might be interesting to hear a President speak, after class several of us including Frances went to Texarkana to that speech. On the way back a cow was standing in the road and luckily it only knocked off my rear view mirror. We all blamed it Lyndon Johnson! Great memories.Teddy C Dunlap
brownsville, TX Sunday, July 26, 2015 We would like to send our deepest condolences to the Daniels family. Though we never met her, we can only say she raised a great son. Sending prayers your way!Teddy and Mary Helen Dunlap
P.Q. Gardner
Monticello, AR Sunday, July 26, 2015 With sympathy!Sue Dye Taylor
Denver, CO Sunday, July 26, 2015 Bill, Marsha, Natalie and Meredith, We are so sorry to hear of Mrs Frances passing although she is in a much better place. She definitely loved her grands and was so very proud of them. May your memories bring you comfort in the days ahead. Nellie Chambers and familyGlora Schwab
Bentonville, AR Sunday, July 26, 2015 Bill & family,I'm praying that God grants you strength at this time, and that He gives you the comfort that is good as a mother's touch. Prayers for your family.
Jackie Robinson
Atkins, AR Sunday, July 26, 2015 Mrs. Daniels was a wonderful professor and individual. She loved what she did and as a student, I enjoyed learning from her. Please know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers.Wanda Young
Wilmar, AR Saturday, July 25, 2015 Bill and family I am sorry for your loss each time I met your mom we had a lovely talk. WandaYoungLaNell McKiever
Monticello, AR Saturday, July 25, 2015 She was a good friend to my brother, Bo Sanderlin in his last days of teaching at UAM. She then helped us so much when our store burned. She was a good neighbor to my daughter, Leslie and her children, Andrew and Bradley Bentz. She also taught my son, Randy McKiever and Leslie. She had a good heart and was an excellent instructor and a very knowledgeable person. I am sure besides our lives, there were many more that she touched and helped, which she will always be remembered by my family.Butch and Judy Selig
Monticello, AR Saturday, July 25, 2015 We are sorry for your loss. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.Nancy Early
Monticello, AR Saturday, July 25, 2015 We are so saddened to hear this news about Francis. She was a fine lady whom we will always consider an inspirational teacher and a dear friend.Carole Rushing
Woodlawn, AR Friday, July 24, 2015 Frances, even though we never got to take that trip that we always talked about, I still know it would have been such a great pleasure spending that quality time with you. Oh, the things you could have taught me. I shall miss you but I have peace knowing that you and the Lord are probably having some lively discussions on the history of this old world. RIPCarole Rushing
Peggy & Johnny Williams
Monticello, AR Friday, July 24, 2015 Bill, Marsha & family, Your family is in our thoughts and prayers, Ms. Frances was a very special lady we enjoyed her visits so much. We loved hearing her stories, and missed her when she was no longer able to drive. Love and prayers Johnny and Peggy WilliamsSusan Smith
Little Rock, AR Friday, July 24, 2015 Bill and family, My prayers are with you in the loss of your Mom. Frances was always a favorite of mine. She and my Mom were such good buddies. Thinking of all of you!Pat Savage Montgomery
Monticello, AR Friday, July 24, 2015 Bill and Marsha: I'm so sorry to hear about Ms. Frances. I have good memories of her. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.Ruth Hunter
Wilmar, AR Friday, July 24, 2015 Bill, Marsha, and family: I am so sorry to hear about your mother passing. I never met her but I know she must have been a wonderful mother to have raise a son like you.Martha Barbee
Monticello, AR Friday, July 24, 2015 So sorry to hear about your loss; your family is in my thoughts and prayers.