Frances N. Richardson Smith

Frances N. Richardson Smith, age 91, of Buford, GA passed away on December 9, 2023.  She was preceded in death by her first husband of 50 years, Young Richardson, Jr., her second husband of 14 years, Rev. Thomas R. Smith, parents Ernest and Maude Nichols, brother Louie Nichols, sisters Lena Henson, Margie Lee, and Suti Nichols. She is survived by her  sister Shirley ( Rex) Clayton, Zephyrhills, FL, children Stanley (Susan) Richardson, Buford, GA, Becky (Jim) Wallace, Buford, GA, step-children Rita (Chris) Burdette, Cleveland, GA, Bonnie (Mitchell) Ginn, Flowery Branch, GA, Darlene Smith, Flowery Branch, GA, grandchildren Brandon M. (Katy) Hastings, Bridget L. (Joel) Cobb, Katy (Chris) Cline, Travis (Hannah) Richardson, great grandchildren, Addison and Maisley Hastings, Tanner, Ella, and Eden Cobb, Weston and Kinley Cline, Natalie and Samuel Richardson, 10 step-grandchildren, 18 step-great- grandchildren, and extended family including many nieces and nephews. Frances was born on June 17, 1932 in Habersham, GA but was raised in Hiawassee, GA and received her Associate Degree from Young Harris College. In 1951, she married Young and had two children. After they moved to Norcross, GA, Frances rode the bus to Atlanta everyday where she attended and graduated from cosmetology school. Afterwards, she and her friend, Viola Christopher, became co-owners of Vi and Fran’s Beauty Salon in Chamblee, GA for 35 years. She enjoyed camping, trail riding in Colorado, riding bikes, and horseback riding at R Ranch Resort in Dahlonega, GA. She loved swimming and boating and taught her grandchildren how to water ski. She even dreamed of getting her pilot’s license one day. She enjoyed fishing the mountain streams in Hiawassee with her dad in his retirement years and fishing the Colorado lakes where she and Young camped every September for 20 years. Fran was quite an adventurous lady. At the age of 70 after Young’s death, she wrote a book called Through the Years and shared a copy with all her family and close friends. Fran gave her heart to Jesus at the age of 13. She was the pianist for years at Buford Highway Baptist Church in Doraville. Her family later moved to Buford, GA where they enjoyed living at Lake Lanier. They became members at Buford First Baptist Church where she loved teaching high school seniors in Sunday School.  In the past years she enjoyed singing in the Silvertones choir. After she married Rev. Thomas Smith, they joined Blackshear Place Baptist Church. Together they enjoyed sweet fellowship with new friends from their Sunday School class until the passing of Thomas in January 2023. Many early mornings would find Fran up reading her Bible and spending time with Jesus. Fran’s love and devotion to her God was exemplified by her life in the way she loved her family, her friends, and all she encountered, honoring Jesus in all her ways.

Funeral December 17^th, 2023 at 2:30pm in Chapel at Flanigan Funeral Home with Pastors Dave Channell, Stephen Fountain & Wayne Johnson officiating and music by Brent Cochran.  Family will receive friends 12pm-2:30pm prior to funeral service.  Intermittent immediately following at Broadlawn Memorial Gardens.  Flowers will be accepted, or donations appreciated to First Baptist Church of Buford in memory of Frances Richardson Smith.

To express condolences, please sign our online guest book at www.flaniganfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements By: Junior E. Flanigan of Flanigan Funeral Home and Crematory, Buford, GA (770) 932-1133.