Frances “Fran” Peeples Francis, 85, of Mooresville, N.C., passed away on Friday, April 25, 2025, at TerraBella Lake Norman.

She was born on August 5, 1939, in Tennessee, She grew up in Tennessee and then Mississippi and Louisiana. Out of high school, she worked for a brief time as a radio station radio operator which eventually led to her being recruited by USAID in Guatemala, where she learned fluent Spanish. Upon completing work at USAID, she moved to Pan American Airlines, where she quickly moved up the ladder from stewardess to supervisor and finally base director of in-flight services in London and New York. After retiring from Pan American Airlines, they managed to convince her to continue to work for them on a contractual basis auditing their facilities around the world. Known for her sense of humor, Fran was beloved by everyone who worked for and with her, especially all of the stewardesses she trained and managed.

Fran loved spending time with her husband Mike, whom she has been married to for over 50 years, and her family and friends. She enjoyed singing and dancing, and she loved animals.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin and Lavada Dunavant; and sisters, Bobbi Slocum and Mary Alice Peeples.

She is survived by her husband, Michael “Mike” Francis; sister, Joeann Mihalya; brother, Alvin Peeples; and several nieces and nephews.

There will be no formal services; however, memorial donations may be made in Fran’s name to Billy Graham Samaritans Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the family of Mrs. Francis. Condolences may be made to her family at www.cavin-cook.com.