Frances Anne Simmons Robertson
72, Oxford
A funeral mass was held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Oxford for Frances Anne Simmons Robertson, 72, of Oxford, who died on Friday, Sept. 15, at her home. Burial was held at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 20, in Woodlawn Cemetery. Fr. Mark Shoffner was the officiant. Visitation was held from 2 p.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday, Sept. 19, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Oxford.
She, or FA as she was fondly called, was born in Columbia on July 10, 1951, to Helen Cosper and Clyde Douglas Simmons. After attending public schools in Columbia, she began college at the University of Mississippi in 1969, at which time she pledged Delta Gamma Fraternity and began friendships of a lifetime.
She returned home to family and friends in Columbia where she taught at Columbia High School. During her teaching career, she was named Teacher of the Year three times, STAR Teacher twice, the school district Teacher of the Year twice and Coca Cola National Educator of Distinction on two separate occasions. In addition to teaching, she served as coach for both her beloved cheerleading squad and the tennis team. She served as President of the Columbia Jr. Auxiliary and as President of Friends of the Library.
She and her husband moved to the Orlando, Fla., area in 2011 to be closer to her grandchildren. She worked parttime in retail and served as intake personnel for the Homeless Foundation Orlando's IDignity program. They returned home to Oxford in 2021 where she could thoroughly enjoy her Ole Miss Rebels. Saying that she was an avid sports fan is an understatement. After moving to Oxford, she became a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, the Oxford Delta Gamma Alumnae Association and The Browning Club of Oxford. An always curious and inquisitive person, she loved to travel with her daughter, Katherine, and son-in-law, Troy, read and talk about books, politics and religion but most especially Ole Miss sports. She also enjoyed cooking, entertaining and creating floral arrangements and décor, which were outstanding.
She doted on her grandchildren sharing stories about them with anyone who would listen. She truly adhered to the belief that we are brought into this world to make it a better place before we leave it. Through her strength, love and courage, she made the world better for many and will be sorely missed by her family and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Molly Kuykendall Carey (Chris) of Maitland, Fla.; son Thomas Michael "Kirk" Kuykendall Jr.; and beloved cousin, Charles Edward Simmons.
Survivors include her husband, John Scott Robertson; daughter, Katherine Kuykendall Magness (Troy) of Sacramento, Calif.; brother, Clyde Douglas Simmons Jr. (Jane); nephew, Clyde Douglas "Bubba" Simmons III (Lisa Barker); niece, Cynthia Simmons Cook (Charles); grandsons, Austin Christopher Carey of Dayton, Ohio, Christopher Clayton Carey and Preston Thomas Carey, both of Maitland, Fla.; great-nephew, Oliver Cook; great-niece, Jane Baldwin Cook; her first love, Thomas Michael Kuykendall of Columbia; stepdaughters, Cathy Robertson Loftin of Mandeville, La., and Carolyn Robertson Cooper (Ken) of Marietta, Ga.; stepson, Jeff Robertson (Tracey) of Nuremberg, Germany; and step-grandchildren, Dayton Magness, Carley Robertson, Samuel Cooper, William Cooper, Cooper Robertson, Colin Robertson, Jack Loftin, Nick Loftin and Dayton Magness.
Katherine and her family would like to offer a special thank you to the team of Gentiva Hospice and FA's loving caregivers.
Pallbearers were Billy Jefferson, DO, Austin Carey, Clay Carey, Preston Carey, Samuel Cooper, William Cooper, Cooper Robertson, Colin Robertson, Jack Loftin and Nick Loftin. Honorary pallbearers were special sisters of the Delta Gamma Fraternity.
In lieu of flowers, she asked that any memorials be made to benefit The Friends of Peace Orphanage Ministry via St. Mary Magdalen Parish as referenced below. ONLINE: https://www.osvhub.com/stmarymagdalen/giving/funds/fr-charlie-s- hope-scholarship CHECKS: May be made payable to St. Mary Magdalen Parish, indicating on the reference line: FR. CHARLIE MITCHELL HOPE SCHOLARSHIP, St. Mary Magdalen Parish, 861 Maitland Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32701.
Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo is honored to be serving the family in this time of remembering their loved one.
