Frances Elizabeth Gifford Blakley

Frances Elizabeth Gifford Blakley, 76, of Gravel Ridge, went to be with the Lord and her late beloved, John H. Blakley, on the morning of May 16, 2011. She was born in Pangburn, Ark., September 4, 1934 to James Gifford and Vernie Finney Gifford. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Jim Gifford and Jerry Gifford, and her husband of 46 years, John Blakley. Fran was a political activist and union representative during her 26 year tenure with Kroger. After retirement she enjoyed many hobbies including shopping, entertaining, traveling and spending time with her family. She also took great pleasure in attending Central Church of Christ. Fran was the matriarch of her family and led with love, joy and pride. She was a woman of many words who had a well-known flair for fashion and spectacular sense of humor. A true lady with a fireball personality, her absence will be felt by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by two sisters, Nellie Gifford Reid and Betty Gifford Graddy, both of North Little Rock; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Patricia Lynn and Dr. Charles Carttar of Little Rock, Rena Elizabeth and James Barker of Gravel Ridge, and Sharon Diane Blakley of Little Rock; seven grandchildren, Derek Carttar, Alex Carttar and Josh Carttar, Dr. Mandee Novack Dunn and husband Dr. Jonathan Dunn, John Novack and wife Becca Novack, Maddison Walker Wendland and husband Spencer Wendland and Danielle Elizabeth Walker; three great-grandchildren, Kya Novack-Williams, Henry Dunn and Annabelle Dunn, all of Little Rock. She also leaves a host of other loving family and friends. In addition, there are many treasured nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Going Home Animal Rescue and Transport (GHART) in Tulsa, Oklahoma (www.ghart.info). Memorial services will be 12 noon, Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at Central Church of Christ, 823 6th Street, Little Rock, Arkansas with Leon Barnes and John Phillips officiating. Arrangements provided by Roller-Drummond Funeral Home, 10900 Interstate 30, Little Rock, Arkansas 72209 (501) 455-5800. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/drummond.