Frances Josephine (Smith) Dice

Frances Jo Dice (Smith), age 85, of Heber Springs, Arkansas, passed away Thursday, March 17, 2022 at South Ridge Nursing Home in Heber Springs.  Funeral service will be Saturday, April 9, 2022.  A Rosary will be at 10:00am followed by a funeral mass at 10:30am.  A luncheon in the fellowship hall will follow the interment at the columbarium at St. Albert Catholic Church.

Fran Smith was born July 6, 1936 to Fred Smith and Ellen Mullen Smith in St. Louis, Missouri. She grew up around Cuba, Missouri attending grade and high school at Cuba, Missouri. After graduating high school she lived briefly in St. Louis, Missouri with friends.

63 years ago on St Patrick's Day, Frances Smith met her husband, Fred Dice, on a blind date. She died, with Fred at her side, on St Patrick's Day, 2022. 

Fred Dice was “smitten” by Fran Smith when he met her. He traveled to St. Louis to see her and only seven months after meeting they were married on October 17, 1959. Their union produced three wonderful children, Ken, Kathy, and Kelley. Fran was a supportive and loving wife. She moved with Fred each time Fred’s employment called him to a new place. In their life together they have lived in Minnesota, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, Oklahoma, Michigan, Texas, Iowa, and Oklahoma (again).  During all the moves Fran created a warm and loving home for her family. As the kids got older she also worked part-time in various jobs including as a church secretary in Texas, JC Penny’s in Iowa, and election polls in Arkansas and Oklahoma.

As their kids matured, they graduated from various universities, found love and developed homes of their own.

When Fred was ready to retire, they were living in Pryor, Oklahoma. Their son-in-law Dwayne, who is married to their daughter Kelley, and an Arkansas native, convinced the couple to check out Heber Springs, Arkansas as a retirement option. Fred and Fran loved the beauty of the area and in 1998 they built a lovely home overlooking the lake. Both became active in St Albert Catholic Church. Fran joined the Ladies’ Auxiliary and also volunteered with Cleburne County Cares. For 22 years they have enjoyed the gorgeous scenery of Arkansas and the friendliness of the Arkansas people.

Fran was preceded in death by her parents Fred Smith and Ellen Smith (Mullen) and grandson Wesley Jared Glasco.

Fran will be missed by her caring husband of 62 years, Fred Dice of Heber Springs; her sister Pat Fury (Jim) of Jackson, Missouri; son Ken Dice (Vanessa Foster) of Ft. Worth Texas; daughters Kathy Dice (Tom Wahl) of Wapello, Iowa, and Kelley Glasco (Dwayne) of North Little Rock, Arkansas; grandchildren James and Theresa Wahldice of Wapello, Iowa, and Garrett and Justin Glasco of North Little Rock, Arkansas; Shalyn Bravens (Danny) and their sons Beckett and Theodore of Austin, Texas; and a host of wonderful friends and neighbors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Albert Catholic Church.

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