Frances Irene Northam (Stephens)

Born, March 7, 1930, in Leesville, Louisiana

Passed Away, March 16, 2022, in Montgomery, Texas

Age 92 Years, 9 Days

"Fran"

At the tender age of nearly 12, Fran lost her mother during childbirth. For many years, Fran was Papaw's right hand until she graduated high school. Several years after her mother's passing, Papaw married Gladys Williamson and brought her beautiful family into the fold. Fran moved from Leesville to Houston at age 19 to pursue her education at Elliott Business School.

After business school, Fran married James B. Holmes, and that union produced the first two little loves of her life. As life has it, the marriage fell apart, but in 1959 she married Steve Northam and gained a precious daughter Nancy in the marriage. They were married for 17 years until his death in December 1976.

Fran worked at the Crispin Company for 38 years for Jay Simmons and Andrea Crispin, unheard of these days. She was dedicated to her job and made many lasting friendships, especially with her best friend, Beverly Skoroz.

She lived with her sisters Tommie and Wallie for many years in Houston. She spent much time traveling with family across the United States, always loving the drive!! While living with her sisters, she renewed her faith in God Our Father. Until her passing, her last years were spent living with her daughter Sharon and husband Curtis in Montgomery, Texas.

Fran's children were her life, as were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She learned a whole new relationship with her great-grandbabies. She showered each of us with unconditional love. Mimi, as she was called by most, touched so many throughout her 92 years of life and made many life-long friends who have all gone before her.

At midnight on March 7, I (Sharon) went in to sing Happy Birthday to her and told her she was now 92, and she replied with a big smile, "I made it." Fran passed peacefully in her sleep 9 days later.

Fran is preceded in death by her parents William Arthur Stephens and Irene Smart Stephens, husband Stephen A. Northam, and all her brothers and sisters: Tommie Lou Carvalho, William A. Stephens (Red), David Stephens, Mitchell "Neal" Stephens, John Stephens, and Wallace Ann Marquis (Wallie)

Fran is survived by her sister Ruth Berdine, brother Milton Jerry Williamson, son Kenneth J. Holmes, wife Kerry, daughter Sharon Holmes Lea, husband Curtis, and daughter Nancy Northam husband Barry.

Grandchildren

Shane and Jason

Curtis B. Lea, fiancé Melissa Cintron

Amy Huntington, husband Philip

Melissa Suzanne Lea, deceased

Brian Holmes, wife Jami

Brett Hoefling

Jennie Hoefling

Great Grandchildren

Adyson "Addy", Jacobi, and Apollo Lea

Cori and Cameron Holmes

Sarah, Beaux, Caden, and Lucas Huntington

Devian and Mathewson