1939-2026
M. Frances Johnson Harper was born on January 2, 1939, in Star City, Arkansas, to the late Clayton and Eura Mae Floyd Johnson. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on June 22, 2026. Frances was preceded in death by her parents, and her five sisters, Arlene Marden, Dorothy McKinney, Billie Johnson, Betty Piatt, and Doris
Faye Wynn. Frances is survived by four sons – God bless her soul - Victor (Lorene), Mark (Shelli), Kenneth, and Paul (Rhonda); nine grandchildren, Misty Jo Jackson, Stephanie Harper, Zachary Harper (Mary Ashleigh), Alexandra Harper (Dereck), Mary Louise Young (Adam), Daniel Harper, Victoria Harper (Angela), Madeline Harper, and John Harper
(Emma); twelve great grandchildren, Austin Smith (Hannah), Dawson McGough, Colby McGough, Frannie Harper, Amelia Young, Jon Harrison Harper, Sophia Sulieman, Ava Grace Bates, Henry Young, Ashlynn Snyder, Madison Snyder, and Trent Snyder; and two great-great grandchildren, Banks Granger and Merritt Collins Smith. Frances graduated with high honors from Star City High School in 1957, and she attended Arkansas A & M (now the University of Arkansas at Monticello).
Frances was a devoted mother and grandmother, and she cherished her role as “Nonnie” above all things. She enjoyed a mean game of poker, “talking” with her kitties, and spending time celebrating the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren.
She especially enjoyed taking her grandchildren to buy gifts for the residents at the Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Home each Christmas. Frances was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Star City, where she was baptized on April 10, 1949. She loved to travel with her children, her group of lifelong friends, and eventually with her grandchildren. She was an avid reader and had been a member of the Star City Book Club since 1974. She was a passionate philanthropist, and faithfully served in many organizations in the Lincoln County area, including the Lion’s Club, the Lincoln County Historical Committee where she served as Chairperson, the Food Pantry, the Star City Area Chamber of Commerce where she served as President, the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, the Lincoln County Sesquicentennial Commission, the Lincoln County Parks Department, the Spring Festival Committee, the Board of Directors of the Southeast Arkansas Mental Health Center, the Chairman of the Board for Oasis Homeless Shelter, Director of the Lincoln County Conservation District, and many others. She advocated strongly for the development of a softball complex in Star City, and after donating 10 acres of land to start the project, she spearheaded the campaign to fund the complex that was ultimately constructed in 1985. She received The Award of Exceptional Accomplishments from the Arkansas Community Development Program, a statewide recognition for outstanding
leadership and efforts to improve her community and the state. She has also been recognized as Woman of the Year by the Star City Area Chamber of Commerce. Frances was not only a dedicated activist, but she was an accomplished career woman
in her own right. She began her career in Real Estate in 1973, and eventually earned her brokerage license. She started The Harper Company with Robert, before opening Frances Harper Real Estate from which she retired in 2023. In 1984 Frances was
inducted into the Arkansas Realtor’s Million Dollar Club. She has been recognized as the Southeast Arkansas Realtor of the Year, and she served several terms as President of the Southeast Arkansas Board of Realtors. She was a member of the Southeast Arkansas Central Corridor Committee and a Member of the Industrial Developers of Arkansas.
Nonnie was adored as much as she adored others. She led by example, and with unconditional love, a dry wit, unmatched tenacity, and the occasional four-letter word when the situation called for it. She will be deeply missed by all those who were lucky enough to know her.
Visitation will be Thursday, June 25, 2026 in Drake Cemetery at 10:00 AM with service to follow at 11:00 AM with Bro. Toby Austin officiating. Pallbearers will be Zac Harper, Dawson McGough, Austin Smith, and Dereck Bates. Memorials may be made to Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Home, 745 Old Warren Road, Monticello, AR 71655, or Lincoln County Lend-A-Hand, 303 West Wiley, Star City, AR 71667.
Arrangements by Griffin Funeral Service of Star City.
