Frances Ryan

d. April 18, 2018

Frances Anne Larkins Ryan, age 75, passed away Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at her home in Cornelius, North Carolina. Frances was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on October 19, 1942 to the late Reverend Dennis and Mrs. Dorothy Larkins. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Louis James (Jim) Ryan, III; son, Louis James (Jamie) Ryan IV and his wife, Analisa Ryan; daughter, Shannon Ryan Gray and her husband, Charles; four granddaughters, Lauren and Kelsey Ryan and Frances and Dottie Gray; mother-in-law, Helen Ryan, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bob and Raye Ryan; sister, Patricia Larkins Kittrell and husband, John Kittrell; brother, Walter Larkins; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Frances received her degree in elementary education from Winthrop University in 1965 and began her teaching career in Virginia the fall of that same year. She was an avid learner and imparted that love of learning to every child privileged to be in her classroom.

Her love of learning was only surpassed by her devotion and love for her family. The time she spent with her husband, children, and grandchildren brought her much joy.

Frances’ love of travel was evident by the many trips she and Jim made to France, Ireland, England, Germany, and Spain where she fulfilled a dream of walking “El Camino Real.” Their travels also took them as far west as Montana, Wyoming, and Arizona where they worked various dude ranches after retiring from the Newport News School District.

Her family would like to honor her life by way of this tribute to our beloved Frances with the poem entitled “Since You Went First.”

Since you went first, and we remain to walk the road alone, we’ll live in memory’s garden, dear, with happy days we’ve known. In spring
we’ll wait for roses red, when fades the lilac blue. In early autumn when brown leaves fall, we’ll catch a glimpse of you.

Since you went first, and we remain for battles to be fought, each thing you’ve touched along the way will have a hallowed spot. We’ll hear your voice, we’ll see your smile, though blindly we may grope. The memory of your helping hand will buoy us on with hope.

Since you went first, and we remain to finish with the scroll, no
length’ning shadow shall creep in to make this life seem droll. We’ve

had so much of happiness, we’ve had our cup of joy. And memory is a

gift of God that death cannot destroy.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Memorial gifts can be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation or The American Heart Association.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frances Ryan, please visit our flower store.

Frances Ryan

d. April 18, 2018

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