Frances Heflin Obituary

Heflin, Frances
97, passed away on 03/26/2011. Frances Heflin was born France Meta Davis on February 22. Daughter of William and Ruffie Davis and little sister to Margaret. Frances enjoyed a happy childhood in the Southern Arizona mining town of Clifton. Younger brother Tommy died at age four, and was never forgotten. Her parents instilled in her a love of travel and education. They made it possible for Frances and Margaret to graduate from the University of Arizona, where Frances belonged to the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. For several years she was a schoolteacher. In 1936, Frances met Charles Whitehouse Heflin and married him six months later. Before they wed, Frances took a long anticipated trip to China and the Philippines on a freighter with her best girlfriend. She and Chuck then enjoyed a glorious 53 year marriage until his death in 1993. It was filled with wonderful friends, world travel, the Heflin Steel Company and, most important to them, family. Frances loved Chuck, being a mother and grandmother, daffodils, October aspens in Flagstaff, Mexico, green corn tamales and a tall scotch with lots of ice. She was a long time volunteer for Mobil Angels Meal Service and Maricopa County Hospital. She is survived by her children and their spouses; Bill Heflin (Kim), Beverly Smith (Pat), Peg Stewart (Ron) Jim Heflin (Suzie) and Nan Heflin (Jerry), her eleven grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, niece Sharon Montgomery (Ron), and their children. They will miss her amazing capacity to love them unconditionally, in spite of themselves. The family wishes to express their endless gratitude for family and friends who made her last years as comfortable as possible; Jill Heflin, Becky Carlin, Filemon Flores and Joyce Dvorak. Ghizella Martin and Steve Erenyi, her caretakers, were angels at the end. When asked how she wished to be remembered, Frances said, " I want everyone to be happy. Give them my love." Donations in memory of Frances can be made to : United Methodist Outreach Ministries, 3333 East Van Buren 85008

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Published by The Arizona Republic on Apr. 3, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Frances Heflin

11 Entries

resident parsons

March 28, 2020

Now more than ever, the wisdom of Frances would benefit us all. Having lived through so much hardship and war, Frances would pass on some positivity about the situation. Frances, I miss you very much! ~auntie jan

Janice Parsons

May 20, 2011

There are very few women I can say I admire as much as Frances; I think she set the gold standard for authenticity and grace. With such a large family always moving around her in a swarm, there was Frances in the center of it all with her calm, gentle ways. Not one to raise her voice, she still radiated strength and an old-fashioned sense of priorities.

Frances loved Chuck and he loved her. I can't imagine two souls that were better suited for each other. They admired, respected and cared deeply for each other and their children modeled their own behavior from them. Frances instilled family values and a strong sense of purpose about living a true life. She might not have carried a big stick (she didn't need to!), but there was no question she was rock of the Heflin clan.

I'm going to miss Frances but I see her living on in her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She and Chuck have left a legacy of faith and commitment to community, family and friends.

Thank you, Frances, for all your kind words and deeds for both me and my daughter, Ashley 2. We are going to miss you but it's comforting to know you are now with Chuck, where you belong.

xoxox auntie jan

Sally Curran

May 13, 2011

It has taken time for me to find the words to describe my feelings for my Aunt Francis. Not because she was complicated, but time to find ordinary words to convey the power and energy behind these words.

Francis' whole thrust was her family. Her husband first; always by his side with the greatest of love and admiration. Her children first, as well; her love for all, her confidence, and support of them daily. Her in-laws; nothing but gratitude and love. Her extended family; always welcoming, interested, admiring of strengths, and making every effort to include them in her own family. Her children's friends; always loved like they were a part of the immediate family.

After her love comes her strength. Francis' unwavering rudder was always deep in the water. She seemed to always know what the next step would be. She made her plans well-known after she had considered what she wanted for herself and her family. This strength was not rigid. She had flexibility and was not afraid of change. She had confidence in herself, her family, and their friends that there would always be love, joy, and togetherness wherever and whenever she would join them.

I loved my Aunt Francis. I am so grateful for my lifetime of memories of her. I am constantly thinking about her ability to love and her strength in meeting life's challenges. It is true that she comes from a "great generation." I am going to keep close my memories of her as a reminder of who I, too, can be.

I will always be proud that she called me "her friend."

April 13, 2011

To the Heflin Family
I did not have many occasions to be with your mother in person , but I must say that she is a part of me because I am close to Nan and through Nan I have followed her path of the recent years.
I know something of the loss you are experiencing and I know it is passage we all face(.and not an easy one.)
Blessings on each of you at this time and may you each hold a memeory of Frances that touches your heat and eases the loss..
I know she and my Dad shared an affection for Scoresby (over Johnny Walker Red or Black !) so my memorial Scoresbys will include a tribute to each of their well lived lives! Salute!
Deb and Alexandra Vieille.,Carmel ,Ca.

Valerie Andrews

April 11, 2011

What an extraordinary, adventurous, compassionate and passionate woman! And what a beautiful loving face. Though I never had the pleasure of meeting her, I can feel her grace through her daughter, Nan and always loved her "mother stories." These tales will continue to inspire me, and her life will serve as a vision of what wholeness we can achieve.

Barb Johnsen

April 5, 2011

While Frances is at last at rest, her passing leaves such an enormous hole in our hearts. She will always be loved, cherished and deeply missed. She always welcomed everyone with a warm, precious smile and genuine interest in their lives. A true lady I feel privileged to have known. Perhaps her greatest gift is the loving family she leaves behind. They have certainly blessed the last 50 years of my life. Farewell Frances. And Thank You Forever.

Annie Jack

April 4, 2011

What a rich and remarkable life Frances led! Her greatest legacy may be the extraordinary family she leaves behind. The photo in Frances's obituary captures her exactly as I remember her - always wearing that warm, loving, knowing smile. Thank you, Smiths and Heflins, for sharing Grandma Frances with me.

April 4, 2011

For Bev...Frances'capacity to love unconditionally is a gift she gave to many people. We always loved our visits with Grandma Frances when she came to Palo Alto. Annie Jack always considered herself a "Heflin" grandchild!:)love you! Kingsley

April 3, 2011

For Nan Heflin:
I saw the news in this morning's paper, and I recall meeting your Mom during the time we worked together in Marin. No doubt she was a very special lady and a vital force for her family. My sincere sympathy to you and yours. Mary Ann Fricker

Ruth Ann Morse Gray

April 3, 2011

How sorry I am to read of Frances' death, and I send my deepest sympathies to her family. Reading about her life brought back many memories of my mother and her sisters and their closeness to Frances and Peg. I believe that my Aunt Ruth is the best girlfriend mentioned in the China trip. I can picture them all talking and laughing together now in Heaven.

Rita Harkins Dickinson

April 3, 2011

Dear Heflin family -
I am so sorry to hear that Frances has passed. She did love her family! It was with a great deal of pride that I was initiated into Gamma Phi with her beautiful platinum pin. She was a gem. God bless you all.

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