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Frances G. “Frankie” Harkleroad passed away at the age of 88 on July 23, 2022, at Hope Haven Hospice. She was a native of Elizabethton, Tenn., and had resided in Lake City, Fla., since 1956.
Frankie was a member of the First Baptist Church in Elizabethton, Tenn., a graduate of East Tennessee State University, and a teacher at Columbia High School for 33 years. She was “Teacher of the Year” in both 1974 and 1985, with a yearbook dedication in 1986.
A devoted wife and mother, she enjoyed playing bridge, traveling to her second home in Tennessee, and visiting with friends.
Frankie’s legacy was her unfailing generosity of spirit and the little gifts she gave to her friends for every occasion; in fact, she never forgot a birthday nor any other special event in the lives of those around her. Frankie was loved by all who were blessed to have known her; she made a lasting impact on the lives of many.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Thomas Harkleroad, and her parents, Floyd Fayne Grindstaff and Leola Rash Grindstaff.
She is survived by her son, Max Robert Harkleroad of Clermont, Fla., and a host of dear friends in both Elizabethton and Lake City.
She was a member of the Florida Teachers of English, the Florida Education Association, Delta Kappa Gamma (an international teachers’ group), D.A.R. (Daughters of the American Revolution), U.D. of C. (United Daughters of the Confederacy) and AAUW (The American Association of University Women).
According to her wishes, no service is planned.
Interment will be at Happy Valley Memorial Park in Elizabethton, Tenn.
A “Celebration of Life” will be held in Lake City at a later date — complete with Frankie’s favorite — “A Coffee Break with Lots of Desserts.”