Obituary of Frances "Fran" Leber

Frances "Fran" (Troup) Leber, 83, passed away on Wednesday, April 18, 2018.

She leaves behind her sons, Jeffery (Susan), and Mark (Rochele) of Madison, and son Dr. Scott (Suzanne) of Brandon. Grandchildren Danielle Harris (Josh), Brian (Emily), Nicholas (Oliva), Garrett, Nicole, Kyle, and Carlee; great granddaughters Kayleigh and Amelia. She also leaves her sister Dottie Carpenter, Dekalb, Illinois, Ned Troup (Alice), Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and Candy Thompson (Dave) Rockford, Illinois.

Fran was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas David Leber and parents, Newell and Wilma (Stose) Troup.

Fran was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Jackson serving in many capacities as well as President.

She was born June 20, 1934 in Washington DC. Her family moved back to the mid-west to Rockford, Illinois. Fran attended Lincoln, Jr. High and East High School. She was active in sports and GAA. Graduating in 1953, she turned down an opportunity to attend training for the professional Rockford Peaches baseball team to attend Northern Illinois University. She graduated with a BS in education and minors in health and drivers education.

Returning to Rockford, she taught at Loves Park Junior High. In 1957 she married her husband Tom and joined him in Germany while he served his time in the US Army for two years. Returning home to Rockford, with baby son Jeff, Fran taught school at Mauldoon High School.

In 1964 the family, with two additional sons, Mark and Scott, moved to Alliance, Ohio. In 1968, moving to Jackson, MS, parenting became dominated with school, and activities of 3 young sons in cub scouts and their sport activities.

Through the school years Fran served as Co-President of Brinkley Jr. High, was legislative chair for the Jackson PTA, President for the ESSA Committee for the Jackson Public Schools.

Because of her passion for education and voting she became Coordinator of the Educational Forums in Hinds County under Governor Winter and was an active member of the League of Women Voters for 49 years, serving as President of both the LWV Jackson and LWV of MS.

Fran’s employment activities included teaching swimming at the YWCA, Co-Director of Jackson Volunteer Agency, Director of YWCA, and Manager of Mynelle Gardens.

The Family respectfully request that in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Jackson, "Jackson Public School Book Project" or the Charity of your choice.

A celebration of life visitation will be held on Sunday, April 22nd from 12:30 to 2:00 pm with a memorial service following at 2:00 pm, Natchez Trace Funeral Home in Madison, MS.