Frances Jean Cleary Carter was born November 19, 1931. She married Zane Delos Carter May 5, 1952. Frances was a lifelong resident of Rockford, Illinois. She was a kind and gentle woman. She was gifted, musical and artistic. From small, crocheted doilies to beautifully designed afghans, her skill was on display. Found among her belongings were drawings and writings. She was an excellent seamstress and she always said, “The inside should be as neat as the outside.” Fran worked beside her husband, Zane, building a small siding and construction company in Loves Park. She was the bidder, bookkeeper, painter, and all around “go-fer” for Zane. In her senior years, Fran served as president of the women’s auxiliary of the Rockton American Legion #332. She had a heart for the struggles of aging veterans and raised money and supplies for VA hospitals and homes in Northern Illinois. It brought her a lot of joy at Christmas to help veterans pick out gifts and wrap them for their families. Fran dedicated her heart to Christ as an adult. She testified of her faith and conquered her fear of water when she stepped into the Rock River, one very windy day, to be baptized. She loved to go to church and she loved to sing hymns. She had a pretty smile and a quick laugh. She was loved by many and will be dearly missed.

Frances Carter, peacefully, met her Savior on March 9, 2021, as family sang “Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling . . . all who are weary come home.” She was preceded in death by her husband, Zane; mother; father; two beloved sisters; and her brother. She is survived by her four daughters, Dawn McClendon (Buddy) of Sarasota, FL, Sherry Coleman (Don) of Florence, KY, Laurie Cook (Randy) of Machesney Park, IL, and Audra Lyons of Machesney Park, IL. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.