December 29, 1920 - October 17, 2017

Frances L. Callahan, of Little Rock, Arkansas died October 17, 2017. She was born December 29, 1920 in Keokee, Virginia to the late John W. and Ruth (Marrs), Legge.

She graduated from Big Stone Gap, Virginia High School in 1937, from Averett College, Danville, Virginia in 1939, received a Bachelor of Music Degree from Converse College, Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1941 and did graduate study at Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. She was a member of the Music Faculty of Averett College (1941-45) and of Converse College (1945-46.)

She married Capt. Paul M. Callahan in 1946 when he returned from World War Il service in India. Fran was an Air Force wife for the next 25 years, until Paul retired from the Air Force in 1972 and they moved to Little Rock, Arkansas,

She taught piano privately for many years and was often piano accompanist for soloists and choirs throughout the United States. She was a member of St James United Methodist Church and its Methodist Women, Altar Guild, Building Committee, Ladies Handbell Choir and the Chancel Choir. She directed a Children's Handbell Choir for ten years, composed and arranged music for Handbells, 39 of which were published. Also published were 14 books of Handbell music by Fran and her friend, Martha Lynn Thompson. These books are used worldwide.

Fran was a member of the Little Rock Musical Coterie, American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers (ASCAP), PI KAPPA LAMBDA (Honorary Music Fraternity), and Handbell Musicians of America.

Fran was predeceased by her husband, Lt. Col. (USAF) Paul M. Callahan and her sister, Barbara (Legge) Rowan. She is survived by one son, Paul Michael Callahan and his wife, Cathy; two grandsons: John Michael Callahan, and Chris Borne and his wife Michele; and three great-grandchildren: Trevor, Jonathan, and Sydney Borne, all of Little Rock, Arkansas. Also surviving is a special cousin, Anne Nickels of Big Stone Gap, Virginia.

Services will be 1:00 p.m, Monday, October 23, 2017 at St. James United Methodist Church. Entombment will follow at Forest Hills Memorial Park, Alexander, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Thompson Scholarship Fund at St. James United Methodist Church, 321 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, AR 72212 or to the Paul & Fran Callahan Scholarship Fund at Lees-McRae College, Banner Elk, NC 28604, or to a favorite charity.

Gratitude to all the staff and nurses at Parkway Health Center, Little Rock, AR who lovingly cared for her during her final years.

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