Frances Louise Ross

THE OBITUARY

Frances Louise Ross (affectionately) know as "Fran."

Her eyes opened on March 1, 1943 “Sunrise” – her eyes closed on October 10, 2025 “Sunset.”

On the morning of October 10, 2025, Frances “Fran” passed away peacefully at UPMC Medical Center in Harrisburg, PA. with her family by her side. Fran was 82 years old.

Fran was born (Frances Louise Tennant), in Mechanicsburg, PA to father, David Tennant (deceased) and mother, Marion J. Saunders – Blackstone also deceased. She was given the nick name (The Lou-Tennant) by her uncle Harry.

Her family moved to Harrisburg, PA where she grew up in the household of her mother Marion and aunt Freda. They lived in uptown Harrisburg, Edgemont, and the Hill district of Harrisburg, PA. She attended Edison Junior High and graduated from John Harris High School.

Shortly after graduating, she united in marriage with Willie J. Ross. Through that union she gave birth to Rhonda Denise Ross (daughter) and Matthew James Ross (son). Fran worked at Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT) as a Data Entry Operator where she retired after 35 years of service.

Fran was a very fashionable dresser and she loved to cook. Some of her favorites the family would ask her to make, pasta salad, potato salad, banana pudding among other dishes.

Fran worshipped at Word Fellowship, where she was Born Again, also worshipped at Life Center, and Word of Grace Ministries. She served on the Usher Board until she was unable. She became a member of Word of Grace Ministries, on April 1, 2012 and served faithfully until she became ill.

Fran was especially supportive of her children and her grandchildren, as well as her extended family. In her leisure, she enjoyed traveling (once she got over the fear of flying). She looked forward to going to Florida, Virginia, Georgia, and Atlantic City. She enjoyed game nights with her family. Afterwards, she would always say… “What’s next”? Her last outing was seeing Noah at Sight and Sound in Lancaster, PA.

In addition to her parents, Fran is preceded in death by her loving brother (John Blackstone), aunts (Freda Dorsey and Pauline Gumby-Sanders) uncles (Lorenzo Dorsey Sr., Harry Sanders, and John Sanders) and other aunts and uncles. Also, mother-in-law (Viola Walker), brother-in-law (Thomas Walker.)

She leaves to celebrate her life, her husband, Willie J. Ross, daughter, Rhonda D. Ross, son, Matthew J. Ross (Melissa), grandchildren; Jessica L. Ross, Avery J. Ross, and Jordan M. Ross; all of Harrisburg, PA, brother, Samuel Blackstone II, niece, Monica Blackstone-Main (Mark), great nephews; Macsen and Major of Brooklyn, NY, nephew, Keith Blackstone (Jennifer), great nephews; Beckham and Maddox of Wyomissing, NJ, niece, Tracey Blackstone-Torres (Willie), great nephew Savion of Harrisburg, PA, cousin, Victoria Dorsey-Green, Harrisburg, PA who was just like a sister growing up, brother-in-law, Joseph Murray (Joann) of York, PA, and the families of Sanders, Green’s, Geary’s, Dorsey’s and Parker’s, along with a host of other cousins, church family members and friends.

LOVINGLY SUBMITTED BY HER FAMILY