Obituary: Donna Frances Carmack
Donna Frances Carmack, known as “Fran” to her family, passed away in the comfort of her home in Tuscumbia, Alabama on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at the age of 82. She was known as “Aunt Chancee” by some of her nephews who had trouble saying “Frances” when they were young children. Fran was the fourth of five children and was born on April 2, 1941, in Memphis, Tennessee to James Spencer Wilson, Sr. and Lillie Louise Williams Wilson.
Fran attended Humes High School in Memphis and had several different jobs throughout her life, but she considered the most important one to be a mother and a “Nana.” She loved all her grandchildren but had a very special bond with her grandson, Seth, who played a big part in being her caregiver. Fran loved to read, watch her hummingbirds, and admire her flowers. She loved to vacation in the Great Smokey Mountains with her mother and later with her children. Fran also loved to picnic as she watched the Tennessee River roll along near her home.
Fran is survived by her four children, Tonya Henry Brotherton (Rex) of Hickory Valley, Tennessee; Tammy Balentine (Brian) of Tuscumbia, Alabama; Troy Carmack, and Tara Carmack, both of Tuscumbia, Alabama also. She is also survived by one brother, Phillip Wayne Wilson (Sherry); and sisters-in-law Virginia Wilson, Nancy Wilson, and Lorene Wilson. Fran had seven grandchildren, Justin Carmack, Clay Brotherton, Dawn Smith, Seth Carmack, Maddie Jones (Jeremiah), Abbie Carmack, and Mason Carmack. She had two great-grandchildren, Braxton Hall and Edlen Jones. Fran also had 10 nieces and nephews who will remember and cherish her memory.
Fran was preceded in death by her parents. James Spencer Wilson, Sr. and Lillian Louise Williams Wilson; three brothers, William Frederick (Freddy) Wilson, James Spencer Wilson, Jr., and Thomas Jerry Wilson. Serving as pallbearers are Troy Carmack, Mason Carmack, Brian Balentine, Jody Wilson, Tommy Wilson, and T.J. Wilson. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Rex Brotherson, Clay Brotherton, and Seth Carmack.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.
Life is short, be sure you are ready!
Courtesy of Shackelford Funeral Directors, Bolivar, Tennessee.
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