Frances
Frances Brenner
d. December 20, 2018
Frances Louise Barlow Brenner, 92, died peacefully in Gulfport in the early hours of Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Lloyd Lee "Jimmy" Brenner and her parents, Harmon Harold Barlow and Edwina Bowlds Barlow.
She is survived by four children: Jimmy Brenner of Ocean Springs, Charlie Brenner (Lucy) of Jackson, Kay Benton (Richard) of Gulfport and Carol Ball (Michael) of Starkville, five grandchildren: Luke Brenner, Leigh Wimberly, Noel Peloquin, Charlie Benton and Nathan Ball, six great-grandchildren and one sister, Doris Ann Lewis of Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Frances, or "Fran," as most people knew her, was born in Greenville in 1926 and grew up during The Great Depression. She would later write of her family's resourcefulness during those years, making a single chicken last a week for a family of four. This resourcefulness and "waste not, want not" attitude would stay with her for her entire life.
As a child, she also picked up the violin, another lifelong passion. Fran played the violin for years, serving as concertmaster of the Greenville Symphony. She also played with other groups and taught private lessons.
After graduating high school, Fran matriculated to the Mississippi State College for Women, graduating with an English degree in 1948. At The W, Fran played in the school orchestra and served as the organization's president. She later earned a master's degree from the University of Mississippi.
Not long after graduating from The W, Fran's life was changed again when she met Jimmy Brenner, a young sailor from Scott, on a bus ride to Greenville. The two began dating and wed in 1952. After Jimmy finished his naval service, the couple settled in Leland, where Jimmy ran an insurance business and Fran looked after their children.
The family later relocated to Tupelo, where all four children graduated high school. Fran spent several years teaching ninth grade English in the Tupelo Public School District. After retirement from public school teaching, she maintained a small violin studio out of her living room.
In Tupelo she was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, where she played in the orchestra. She was also active in Calvary's Women's Missionary Union. Outside of church, Fran was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Fortnightly Music Club.
Fran took great joy in visits from her children, grandchildren and other relatives throughout her life, even as the effects of Alzheimer's Disease became more apparent.
The family would like to thank the staff of Seashore Highlands Assisted Living for their care and concern.
The funeral service is scheduled for 1:00 PM, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018, at RIEMANN FAMI LY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Rd. Gulfport, MS, 39503, with a visitation for family and friends from 12:00 PM until the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering at Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo, to P.O. Box 1008, Tupelo, MS. 38802.
An online obituary may be viewed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com
She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Lloyd Lee "Jimmy" Brenner and her parents, Harmon Harold Barlow and Edwina Bowlds Barlow.
She is survived by four children: Jimmy Brenner of Ocean Springs, Charlie Brenner (Lucy) of Jackson, Kay Benton (Richard) of Gulfport and Carol Ball (Michael) of Starkville, five grandchildren: Luke Brenner, Leigh Wimberly, Noel Peloquin, Charlie Benton and Nathan Ball, six great-grandchildren and one sister, Doris Ann Lewis of Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Frances, or "Fran," as most people knew her, was born in Greenville in 1926 and grew up during The Great Depression. She would later write of her family's resourcefulness during those years, making a single chicken last a week for a family of four. This resourcefulness and "waste not, want not" attitude would stay with her for her entire life.
As a child, she also picked up the violin, another lifelong passion. Fran played the violin for years, serving as concertmaster of the Greenville Symphony. She also played with other groups and taught private lessons.
After graduating high school, Fran matriculated to the Mississippi State College for Women, graduating with an English degree in 1948. At The W, Fran played in the school orchestra and served as the organization's president. She later earned a master's degree from the University of Mississippi.
Not long after graduating from The W, Fran's life was changed again when she met Jimmy Brenner, a young sailor from Scott, on a bus ride to Greenville. The two began dating and wed in 1952. After Jimmy finished his naval service, the couple settled in Leland, where Jimmy ran an insurance business and Fran looked after their children.
The family later relocated to Tupelo, where all four children graduated high school. Fran spent several years teaching ninth grade English in the Tupelo Public School District. After retirement from public school teaching, she maintained a small violin studio out of her living room.
In Tupelo she was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, where she played in the orchestra. She was also active in Calvary's Women's Missionary Union. Outside of church, Fran was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Fortnightly Music Club.
Fran took great joy in visits from her children, grandchildren and other relatives throughout her life, even as the effects of Alzheimer's Disease became more apparent.
The family would like to thank the staff of Seashore Highlands Assisted Living for their care and concern.
The funeral service is scheduled for 1:00 PM, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018, at RIEMANN FAMI LY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Rd. Gulfport, MS, 39503, with a visitation for family and friends from 12:00 PM until the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering at Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo, to P.O. Box 1008, Tupelo, MS. 38802.
An online obituary may be viewed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frances Brenner, please visit our flower store.
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