of Little Rock, AR
January 28, 1947 - April 18, 2025
Ida Frances (''Fran'') Young Spears of Little Rock, AR passed away at her residence at The Blake Chenal Valley on Friday, April 18, 2025, after living with Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer for the last thirteen years.
She was born January 28, 1947, in Ripley, MS to the late William Tandy Young and Doris (Coleman) Young Gilbert. She graduated from Ruston (LA) High School and earned a B.S. in Business Education from Louisiana Tech University. She worked as an administrative assistant much of her career, retiring from Mohawk Industries in Dallas, TX in 2012 after her cancer diagnosis. She enjoyed tending to her plants, taking care of every ''fur baby'' she had through her life, watching the Razorbacks and the Cowboys, and playing card games. Before her illness, she enjoyed working out. Physical Therapy replaced the gym in her later years, and while she may have complained, she really did love it. Fran was a member of Pinnacle Chruch of Christ and streamed every service online once she was no longer physically able to attend. She was a kind and sweet person to everyone she met.
Fran's devoted husband of 54 years, Donny Spears, preceded her in death. She is also precedeased by her parents, her step-father, O.H. Gilbert, and her special aunt, Ethel Coleman.
Fran is survived by her daughter, Amy Spears-Schally and her son-in-law, Dr. Gordon Schally, of New Orleans, LA; one brother, Mike Young (Phyllis) of Shreveport, LA; great-niece, Ashley Young Martin (Matt) and great-nephew Will Martin of Vienna,, VA; and brothers-in-law Jerry (Donna) Spears of Little Rock and Paul (Gwenette) Spears of Ruston, LA.
The family would like to thank Dr. Mariann Harrington and her entire team at CARTI for providing excellent and compassionate care to Fran over the years and being a source of support to Donny and then Amy as her caretakers.
Visitation will be held on Monday, April 21, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at Roller Chenal in Little Rock. A graveside service will be on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Riverwood Memorial Gardens in Maumelle.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Pinnacle Church of Christ, 1 Shackleford Drive, Little Rock, AR 72211, or any charity of your choice