Mary Lloyd (Brown) Frank

Mrs. Mary Lloyd Brown Frank, one of Asheville's distinguished and lifelong residents, passed away Saturday, December 2, 2017. Mary Lloyd was born April 16, 1926 in Asheville, NC to the late Thomas Wier Brown and Rachel Lloyd Brown and was preceded in death by her husband Charles Minor Frank and her sister, Rachel Elizabeth Brown Battles. During her grade school and high school years she became an accomplished ballet and tap dancer in Asheville's first Civic Ballet. She was awarded a full scholarship to Brenau College in Gainesville, GA for her academic prowess. After two years she transferred to UNC Chapel Hill as one of two women in a class of 40 obtaining a B.S. in chemistry. During this time she was house president of Archer House and a member of several academic societies. Upon graduation she returned to Asheville, working at American Enka in the chemistry department. On Aug 7, 1948 she married Charles Minor Frank. Throughout her lifetime she was energetically involved with public service, as well as raising her three daughters. Mary Lloyd was a life member of AAUW and the League of Women Voters, serving as president both locally and statewide. She was a member of the Board of Trustees, Pack Library at Asheville Buncombe Library from 1970-1981, serving as chairman from 1989-1991. With her friend, Tony Lord, they sited, built and moved into the present downtown library building. Mary Lloyd was elected to serve on the Asheville City Council in 1981, serving five terms. She was Vice Mayor from 1985-1987. When on the council she was asked by Father Paul Chaplin of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, where she had been a member since birth, to obtain a resolution changing the zoning ordinance to allow Columbariums for Asheville churches. The ordinance passed unanimously. She also served on the North Carolina League of Municipalities Board from 1989-1991 and the Energy Commission. Mary Lloyd was also involved with Meals on Wheels and providing food to local homeless shelters. She and her husband worked on several Habitat for Humanity houses over the years. They were also members of Friendship Force, hosting families from Germany and other countries, forging lifelong friendships. She opened her home, housing foreign exchange students and missionaries from Honduras. Mary Lloyd had unending energy as a homemaker, sewing clothes for her family and was always at the forefront for changing progress. In the 1950s there was an article in the Asheville newspaper regarding "women in pants" with a picture of Mary Lloyd and her three daughters wearing pants she had sewn. She encouraged her daughters to participate in activities including sports, music lessons and Girl Scouts, for which Mary Lloyd was troop leader for several years. At St. Mary's Episcopal Church she served as Lector, Chalicist, and Eucharistic Minister over the years and taught Sunday School when her daughters were young. She also served on the Vestry. Never one to remain still or vanquish a dream, Mary Lloyd decided to earn her Master's degree in 2001 at the age of 75. Throughout her life she enjoyed tennis, playing well into her 70s until physical restraints forced her to stop. She loved to dance and enjoyed hiking, theatre and the arts. She belonged to several book groups and bridge clubs, enjoying her many friends. Mary Lloyd is survived by her daughters, Mrs. Jennifer Holder, Mrs. Mary Kay Armstrong (Ned) and Ms. Chel Douglass; grandchildren, John Charles Douglass (Erin), Kelly E. Douglass, Landon T. Armstrong, Mary Nell Armstrong, Steven C. Holder, Samuel G. Holder and one great granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth Douglass. Mary Lloyd wrote her "fantasy funeral" several years ago. In it she states, "I would like a homily to include my thanks to God for my life, and my awe of His creation. I believe all of us should-- mentally, physically, and spiritually-- use His finite and infinite gifts to help make this world a better place". The family would like to thank Care Partners and the John F. Keever Solace Center for their care and attention during her decline and passing. Thanks and gratitude to the Holder family for their loving care over the last 9 years, allowing Mary Lloyd to remain in her home until the very end. A memorial service with interment of ashes will be held at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 337 Charlotte St., Asheville, NC on Saturday December 9, 2017 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Dr. Brent Norris officiating. A reception will follow at the church. Memorials may be made to Asheville Public Library, St. Mary's Episcopal Church or John F. Keever Solace Center, Asheville. Condolences may be made to the family at www.ashevilleareaalternative.com.

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