HAMPTON - Frances Leigh Butler was one of a kind. The spirited red-head was born in Newport News, Va. on October 20, 1922 to the late Eva Chandler and Walter L. Leigh, Sr. and died peacefully on March 24, 2016 at the young age of 93.

She was a proud 1940 Newport News High School graduate who never missed the opportunity to show off her cheerleading skills, and through the years proudly served on her class reunion committee.

Following graduation from Newport News Business College, she was hired by NACA (NASA), where she met her husband T. Melvin Butler. They both enjoyed being involved in community activities within their beloved city of Hampton.

Frances volunteered at the Hampton Library, and was a devoted member of the Hampton History Museum, Virginia Air & Space Center, The American Theater, the Pine Cone Garden Club, the Woman's Club of Hampton, and the East Hampton Neighborhood Association.

As a woman of great faith, Frances was missions chairperson for her East Hampton United Methodist Church for many years.

She considered her neighbors as family. To say Frances never met a stranger is an understatement.

She was curious about the world, and loved to hear about the adventures of her friends. Exercise was important for the physical benefits, but she especially enjoyed the chance to chit-chat with others during her three days a week in Body Renewal (Body Recall) with her dear friend, Domenica Jernigan. She brought the class homemade cookies or cupcakes on special holidays, dressed up as the Easter bunny on Easter, and rotated costumes at Halloween, including court jester, Raggedy Ann, witch, clown, and hippie. She would drive around town in her outfits to make people smile, a tradition her daughters will carry on.

Frances was a wonderful mom and a bragging Meemaw who took delight in spending time with her grandchildren. Every time she was with them was cause for a celebration, she said.

Frances was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brother Walter L. Leigh, Jr. and wife Louise.

Survivors include daughters Deborah Butler, and Cynthia Focke and her favorite son-in-law Joe Flanagan, grandchildren Allison, Patrick, and Adrianne Focke, niece Bonnie Daughtry and husband Donald, nephew Stuart Leigh and wife Donna, and their families.

Frances' family is grateful to Annette Grant for her devoted help during the past year, and would like to thank everyone for the condolence calls, texts, and emails with the wonderful Frances stories.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m.. March 29 in the R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home chapel, 245 S. Armistead Ave., Hampton, by the Rev. Ed Merry. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 March 28 at the funeral home.

Remembrance donations may be made to the Hampton Woman's Club for a scholarship in her name, or East Hampton United Methodist Church.

Her family would like to ask a favor: In her memory please consider doing something kind for someone else because that is the way Frances lived her life. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.

Published in Daily Press on March 27, 2016.
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