Biography: Francis Marion Williams Tucker, of Little Rock, one of the last true southern ladies, was born on December 4, 1914, the only child of Robert Monroe Williams and Marion Clarke Williams, in the family home on the northwest corner of 26th and Broadway in Little Rock, Arkansas. She died Thursday, July 19, 2007 at St. Vincent Infirmary. Her maternal grandfather, Senator James Paul Clarke, is one of 2 Arkansans, along with Uriah M. Rose, honored with a statue in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. Clarke, Dale Bumpers and David Pryor were the only 3 Arkansans to serve as governor and U.S. senator in the 20th century. Francis was one the kindest, most gracious people ever. Her self-effacing sense of humor endeared her to many. She had her own opinions, but always politely kept them to herself. Her focus was always on others rather than herself. Just being in her presence made people feel better about life and themselves. She had an innate ability to make others comfortable. Her love and support of her family was truly unconditional. Her faith in God and love for her church - Trinity Episcopal Cathedral - never wavered. Her maternal grandmother, Sallie Moore Clarke, suffered a series of strokes and was an invalid thereafter. She was sent to Battle Creek, Michigan for treatment and Francis, her mother, aunt and cousin were there when she died. Francis remembers taking the train home from Michigan for her grandmother's funeral. The Clarkes lived at 13th and Scott. She never knew her paternal grandfather, Nal Williams, who died when her father was 12 years old. Her paternal grandmother, Snow Stuart Williams, lived at the northwest corner of 17th and Broadway. Both the Clarkes and the Williams were members of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. In 1915, the family moved to the southwest corner of 16th and Arch. She attended pre-school at Miss Grace Boyce's, which was on 16th between Broadway and Arch. She attended Rose Elementary on 14th Street (now Daisy Bates Drive), which is now the administration building for Philander Smith College. For her 5th grade year, Francis lived in Charleston, South Carolina, where her mother's best friend lived. They lived in a high-rise apartment and she attended Ashley Hall. They returned to Little Rock, where she completed elementary school at Rose. The Williams family spent several summers in Ludington, Michigan. She recalls one year at Rose Cottage on the High Walk at Epworth Assembly, when she was taken to Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago to have her tonsils removed. Two events from 1927 were memorable. One was the famous flood and the other was Little Rock's last lynching. She remembers taking the cook home early because they feared for the cook's safety if she walked home as usual. For 4 years in the summer, she attended Camp Rockbrook in Brevard, North Carolina, where camp counselors taught the campers about manners, among other things. Attending with her were her closest friend and first cousin, Ellen House Simpson, and another lifelong friend, Eugenia Peek Johnson. She attended West Side Junior High the next year, after which the school district changed the boundaries and she was assigned to East Side Junior High. She graduated from East Side and went to Little Rock High School, now Central High. She was placed in a ''fast class'' and graduated at age 16 in 2 1/2 years. In high school, She considered going to Little Rock Junior College, but concluded it would not get her where she wanted to go. Instead, she attended the Madeira School in Greenville, Virginia outside of Washington, DC. It was a very harsh winter and the heat went out at the school. School was relocated to the Grace Dodge Hotel in Washington. She was then accepted at Vassar College, one of the famous ''Seven Sisters,'' in Poughkeepsie, New York, as was her friend from Madeira, Jane Rauol Bingham and 8 or so other Madeira classmates. Her first year, she roomed with Libby Craft and began a lifelong friendship with Sue White from Akron, Ohio. She and Sue lived together their last 3 years at Vassar. She graduated from Vassar in 1936, where she majored in mathematics. At Vassar, she made friends from all over the country. She roomed with Ellen Plunkett Smith her senior year. She visited New York City frequently, taking the train into the city. During her college years, she made her debut at the Country Club of Little Rock. She toured all over Europe during the summer of 1937 with her cousin, closest friend and confidante, Ellen House Simpson, as well as close friend, Eleanor Townsend Rector Trotter. They encountered some ominous pre-war overtones in several places, including seeing marching soldiers in Berlin. Her parents owned a weekend getaway at Paron, in Saline County. It had an outhouse and no electricity or running water. They often entertained friends there and had many good times. In 1940, the family moved to the Heights at 2322 North Spruce, on the golf course of the Little Rock Country Club. After graduation, she returned to Little Rock and worked in the music department at Pfeifer’s Department Store. When the war started, she worked at the USO with her long-time friend Kathryn Chamberlin Smith. She then took a nurse’s aide course and was a nurse’s aide in Little Rock. She married Everett Tucker, Jr. of Tucker, Arkansas on October 9, 1943. They enjoyed a brief honeymoon at the Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia en route to Wilmington, Delaware, where Everett was stationed in the Air Transport Command of the U.S. Air Force. They lived in a duplex in Hockessin, Delaware and Francis continued her service as a Red Cross nurse’s aide. Francis returned to Little Rock in the fall of 1944 for the birth of their first child – Robert Williams Tucker - on November 9, 1944 at the old St. Vincent’s at 10th and High (now MLK Drive). In February 1945, Everett, Francis and Bobby moved to the air base in Greenwood, Mississippi. In the fall of 1945, Everett was diagnosed with tuberculosis and an arid climate was prescribed for his recovery. The family spent a year as the caretaker of a ranch near Glorietta, New Mexico and then moved to Albuquerque for a second year. They returned to Little Rock and purchased a small home at 2110 N. Palm. Their second child and son – Everett Tucker, III – was born January 1, 1950 and their daughter – Marion Clarke Tucker – was born December 28, 1952. Shortly after Marion’s birth, Francis’s dad died after suffering a heart attack. The family of 5 moved to 4601 Kavanaugh Boulevard in February 1954. Everett died on November 1, 1985 and Marion died on June 6, 1992. Francis still resided at the 2-story brick house on Kavanaugh at the time of her death. Not many people live in the same home for over 53 years. She was a voracious reader, often completing a book in one evening. She spent her later years visiting with family members, keeping up with sports and politics and commenting on the times and events of each day. She particularly enjoyed tennis, golf, the New York Yankees and the St. Louis Cardinals. Her mind was razor sharp until her very last day. As ladylike as she was, one could not put anything past her. Known to her grandchildren as Tata, she was proud that her one year old great-granddaughter will represent the 6th generation of her family to worship at Trinity. She only recently celebrated the marriage of one of her grandsons and was excited to have a new granddaughter-in-law. She was a member of Aesthetic Club for over 56 years and served as president from 1958 to 1960. She was a member of the Little Rock Country Club, the Junior League of Little Rock, the Edelweiss Club and served on the PTA at Forest Park Elementary. Her father, grandfather and husband all served on the Little Rock School Board. Williams Magnet Elementary on Evergreen was named for her father and grandfather. Her husband, Everett, served as president of the Board during the tumultuous 1958-59 school year when Governor Orval Faubus closed the high schools in Little Rock. He demonstrated exemplary leadership in getting the schools re-opened and meeting the federal mandate for a desegregated school district. At Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, she was one of the first women elected to serve on the vestry. She was also a Sunday School teacher and president of the Episcopal Churchwomen. She held several different positions with the Diocesan Churchwomen and was an Arkansas delegate to the national Episcopal Churchwomen convention on a number of occasions. She is survived by her son, Robert Williams Tucker and his wife, Dianne Trinco Tucker; her son Everett Tucker, III and his wife, Rebecca Bost Tucker; her grandson, Robert Williams Tucker, Jr. and his wife Devon Hall Tucker and their daughter, Ella Josephine Tucker; her granddaughter Kathryn Francis Tucker; her grandson Everett Clarke Tucker, IV and his wife, Toni Register Tucker; her grandson, Richard Tucker Glatter. She is also survived by her favorite cousins, James D. Simpson and J. Warren Simpson. The family wishes to thank special friend, Mary Penick Hodges, who faithfully took communion to Francis, as well as caregivers Bobbie Hughes, Barbara Shack, Nell Leonard, Dorothy Collier, Priscilla Franks and Shuntay Otey. They also want to thank Dr. Dean Kumpuris, Dr. Delbra Caradine and Dr. Johnny Jones for their expert care and attention, as well as the clergy at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. There will be a Funeral Service at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral , Saturday at 11:00 AM officiated by The Very Reverend Henry Hudson. A private burial will follow services. Funeral services are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be made to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 310 W. 17th Street, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72206. The family will be at 5225 Edgewood Road, or 1922 Shadow Lane, in Little Rock.