Fran Harper Smith

Frances (Fran) Harper Smith, 92, of Hillsboro passed away Saturday morning, December 21, 2019, at Wesley House in Hillsboro.  Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 27, 2019, at First Baptist Church in Hillsboro with Rev. Danny Gilliam officiating.  Burial will follow at Ridge Park Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Friday at the church prior to service time.

She was born August 19, 1927, in Hill County, daughter of the late Charles Foster Harper and Jewell Clack Harper.  On October 7, 1955, she married Bill R. Smith in Hillsboro.  She was a graduate of Itasca High School, Hillsboro Junior College and North Texas State University.  She served the Hillsboro business community for many years as secretary at Exporters & Traders Compress and later at Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce.  

Fran was a member of First Baptist Church, serving in many capacities over the years.  She was very active in civic work throughout her life as can be evidenced by leadership positions on numerous City of Hillsboro and Chamber of Commerce boards and committees including Hillsboro City Library, Main Street, Beautify Hillsboro and Hillsboro Sesquicentennial Commission.  She was one of three original organizers of Bond’s Alley Arts & Crafts Fair in 1965 and continued as a co-chairman for 20 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, William Ronald Smith, on December 21, 1996; husband, Bill R. Smith, on April 27, 1998; and sisters, Helen Russell and Joyce Isbell.

Survivors include nieces, Carolyn S. Brim of Dallas and Ada Lynn Isbell of Robstown; nephews, Andrew Smith of Hillsboro and Charles Isbell of Robstown; and numerous cousins. 

Pallbearers are Benjamin Smith, Colin Smith, Patrick Smith, Hayden Lowrance, Will Lowrance and Josh Beims.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 271, Hillsboro, Texas 76645.

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