Frances Calvert

Frances Lee Buchanan Calvert passed on Tuesday, February 9 at the age of 80 after a lengthy illness and stay in a local nursing home. She was preceded in death by her parents. Frances was born March 21, 1935 in Slaton, Texas to Douglas and Ada Mary Buchanan. She was an only child and spent her early childhood years in Slaton and Pecos, Texas. In 1950 Fran moved to Roswell, New Mexico with her father, who worked for the Army Air Corps during World War II, and her mother, who taught elementary school. While a sophomore in high school, Fran met her husband and soul mate, Jack. They dated the remainder of their high school years. Both went on to college, Jack at New Mexico Military Institute and Fran at Eastern New Mexico University. They were married in 1955 in Crowell, Texas by her maternal grandfather who was a retired Methodist minister. After Jack graduated from NMMI in 1956, he was commissioned in the United States Army and they began their 30 year military adventure across the United States and Europe. Fran and Jack were married 60½ years to the day and have three children, Doug, Lee Ann, and Mary, 12 grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. Fran was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who cared for their children during Jack’s many assignments away from home. Fran will be remembered for her quick wit, humor, strength, intelligence, and love of being around people. By nature, she was an outgoing person who quickly became involved in the many communities in which she lived during her lifetime. After moving to Lampasas in 1986, Fran was active in several community activities including the Pierian Club and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). She also had lifelong involvement with the Methodist Church, Red Cross, and youth activities. Fran was instrumental in introducing CASA to Lampasas County and she served on the executive board for many years. Arts and crafts were lifelong hobbies of hers, as well as spending time with her family and working cattle with her father on the family farm and ranch in Garza County, Texas. Fran is survived by her husband Jack, son Doug and wife Teresa and their two children, daughters Lee Ann and husband Hector and their six children, and Mary and husband Mark and their four children. She is and will be greatly missed by all. A memorial service will be held at the Lampasas First United Methodist Church at 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 13, 2016 to celebrate Fran’s life, to be followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Lampasas First United Methodist Church Youth Program. Sneed Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements