Frances B. Middleton

Frances Brown Middleton was born on November 26, 1934, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, to the union of Maude Eva Brown and Dona Brown. 

Frances gave her life to Christ at an early age. She was an active and faithful member of St. Paul A.M.E. Church. She served with the culinary ministry, attended Sunday School regularly, and was a Senior Usher. She was an extremely sweet and soft-spoken woman who deeply loved her family and did what she could to help them in their time of need.

Frances was a 1952 graduate of Peake High School. She worked in the cafeteria at Peake High School, Ione Bynum Childcare and later retired from Ouachita Baptist University after 20 years. Frances enjoyed solving crossword puzzles, cooking, fishing, and listening to gospel and blues. She was a die-hard LeBron James fan, but never gave up cheering on the Boston Celtics.

Frances married James Middleton and to this union 11 children were born. Although their marriage would end and in the uncanniest sense, they found a way to maintain a close bond that blended two beautiful families.

She had a strong will for doing the right thing whether it was standing up for equality in the community and workplace or being a valuable source of wisdom and encouragement. She gifted her family a legacy of togetherness, love and loyalty that has continued to multiply and will not be forgotten.

Frances passed from this life on January 23, 2023.  She was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters, one brother, two sons, Samuel and Bernard Middleton, and granddaughter, Tanisha L. Horton.

She is survived by her children, Frances J. Middleton of Little Rock, AR; James H. (Trudy) Middleton, Jr. of Little Rock, AR; Frederick H. (Angela) Middleton of Arkadelphia, AR; Shelia M. Middleton of Hot Springs, AR; Beverly K. (Julian) Flowers of Las Vegas, NV; Belinda A. (Delton) Sanders of Little Rock, AR; Charles D. (Deidra) Middleton of Arkadelphia, AR; Stephanie A. (Harold) Bailey of Arkadelphia, AR; Selena J. (Jana) Middleton of Little Rock, AR; Darrell D. (Nicole) Middleton of Arkadelphia, AR and Tanika L. (James) Flannigan of Arkadelphia, AR; 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. She also leaves her sisters, Hazel Bailey, Joe Etta (John) Tatum, and Eva Mae Hill all of Arkadelphia, AR; a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She also leaves Allene Middleton a close friend and bonus mother to her children, and special friends, Myrtle Smith, Mary Bell, Kaye Newburn, and Edna Newburn.

Visitation will be Friday, January 27, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and the family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Mrs. Middleton will lie in state from 1:00 p.m. until service time with services beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at St. Paul A.M.E. Church with Pastor T.W. Scott, eulogist and Dr. Lewis A. Shepherd, Jr., officiating. The interment will be at Springhill Cemetery-Clayborn Chapel Community.

Pallbearers will be Robert Middleton, Brandon Middleton, Derrick Middleton, Keith Nelson, Patrick Nelson, Roderick Nelson, Terron Flowers and Stelton R. Hill. Honorable to mention are James Middleton, Jr., Frederick Middleton, Charles Middleton, Darrell D. Middleton, Harold Bailey, Delton Sanders, Julian Flowers, Kenny Hamlin and James Flannigan.