Frances Mitchell Dozier

June 5, 1931 - November 11, 2008
Frances Mitchell Dozier


Frances Mitchell Dozier died peacefully surrounded by her family Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice & LifeCareCenter in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Frances was born in Bedford, Virginia on June 5, 1931 and married US Army Lieutenant Henry Powell Dozier of Macon, Georgia in Bedford on August 11, 1956. She graduated from Randolph Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, VA in 1952.

Frances worked in personnel at Hutslers in Baltimore, MD and the Employment Security Commission in Wilmington, NC. Teaching reading and assisting refugee families to settle into the US were two of her passions. She taught reading at the Cape Fear Literacy Council and English as a second language in VA. She moved with her family to; IL,VA, NC, CT, MA, KY and AL. She always participated in and benefited the communities in which she lived. Frances and Henry enjoyed traveling the world and experiencing other cultures.

She is survived by her husband Henry and four children; Bill Dozier and wife Lynn of Wilmington, NC; Betsy Booth and husband Bob of Charlottesville, VA; Lisa Vailes and husband Chuck of Staunton, VA; and Mitch Dozier and wife Tammy of Chapel Hill, NC. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Amy and Holly Dozier, Will and Jack Dozier, Michelle Crockett, Becca and Matthew Booth, and Samantha and McCauley Vailes.

Frances donated her brain tissue to the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Institute of Human Genomics to assist Parkinson’s Disease research.

Graveside services for the family will be held at Oleander Memorial Gardens. A memorial service will be at Winter Park Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, NC on November 15, 2008 at 3PM. A reception will follow. Friends are invited to share written or spoken remembrances of our beloved Fran at the reception.

She requests memorial gifts be made to the WPPC Refugee Ministry, 4501 Wrightsville Avenue, Wilmington, NC 28403

Wilmington Burial and Cremation Service, 1535 S 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 910.791.9099


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  • November 13, 2008
    Wes Crawford says:
    Our thoughts are with your/our family in this time. "Aunt" Francis will be missed, but always appreciated for all she did to help others, including my mother, Courtney, in her times of need. Wes and family

  • November 20, 2008
    Sherrie Schriver Jenkins says:
    Mitch, I am so sorry to hear of your Mother's passing. She is truly an inspiration to all women! I remember her being so kind, loving, and gracious. I remember how talented she was with her homemaking. I really admired all of the curtains she made there at your Wilmington home!(when Graham and I came to visit) Praying for you and your family's comfort at this difficult time. -with love and fond memories. Sherrie

  • November 15, 2008
    Amy Dozier says:
    To Grandma Fran, You remind me of a sunflower, So tall and bright, Always facing toward the light, In your soft whisper you would say… Please always be happy. Like a sunflower your petals perfect, Little birds- go round and round, Nine of them there are. The seeds you’ve dropped, that we have planted, Will help us become sunflowers of our own. Your thin leaves swaying in the wind, Wrap around us with your warmth, Your sunny face smiling, Will always make us happy. I love you always. Amy

  • November 14, 2008
    Betty Kirksey says:
    Henry, I was so very sorry to learn of Fran's death. Not long ago, you told me that she was at peace with her deteriorating health. What a great gift to be able to not only be at peace with life but also with approaching death. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers - may you also know peace. Love, Betty

  • November 14, 2008
    Tricia says:
    Betsy, We are lifting up you and your family in prayer, peace, grace and love. Take comfort in the knowledge that she is sitting with our father in all his glory. What a beautiful sight it must be. Love, Tric and the boys