Frances Katherine Tinsley Lewis, the youngest of six children born to the late Burney Doswell Tinsley and Mary Anderson Tinsley, entered this world on August 12, 1925, in Ashland, VA.  She grew up in the house, "up on the hill", that was built by her father and family on Hanover Avenue, along with her brothers and sisters.  Frances was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church where she served as president of the Missionary Society for many years.

She was united in holy matrimony to Ollie Verlon Lewis Jr. (Bunkie).  She and Bunkie were blessed with four children – Leonard W. Lewis, Eric J. Lewis, Katherine L. Lewis and Ollie V. Lewis III.

Frances graduated from Hanover County Training School and continued her education and graduated from MCV School of Nursing in 1961.  She worked for MCV as a LPN and at Hanover County Department of Health as a public health nurse.  She was the first black woman in Hanover County to serve in that capacity.  Frances was later employed at St. Mary's Hospital where she retired in 1987.

She loved to travel.  Throughout her years, she visited 49 of the 50 states: including Hawaii - often with her family. Those travels afforded her opportunities to visit places outside of the US, including the Bahamas, Canada, Italy and Germany.

She was a founding member of the Hanover County Black Heritage Society.

She also enjoyed spending time with her many grandchildren, all of whom she had a great influence in raising.  She was the matriarch of the Tinsley family.  Frances was preceded in death by her siblings, James Burney Tinsley, Elsie Tinsley, Wilbert Tinsley, Joseph Tinsley, Elizabeth Tinsley, her son Leonard W. Lewis and her granddaughter LaTamala Willis. Frances departed this life, on October 6, 2021 with her sons and grandson by her side.

Her life and legacy will be cherished and carried on by her children, Eric J. Lewis, Katherine L. Lewis and Ollie V. Lewis III, grandchildren Timothy Jones, Ericka Mansfield (Jim), Verdon Lewis, NaTasha Bankett (John), Jene' Lewis, Stephanie Lewis, Justin Barnes, Daniel Lewis, Amanda Lewis and Hope Barnes, great grandchildren Jasmine Lewis, Keithan Jones, Dayvon Jamison, Anijah Willis, Paris Jamison, Jamari Willis, Joshua Mansfield, Arilynn Barnes, Jade Bankett, Jordan Bankett, Summer Mansfield, Xavier Reid, Amira Reid, Demetrius Jamison, Mika Mansfield, Samuel Lewis, Joshua Lewis, and Caleb Lewis, three great great grandchildren, special Cousin Wortham Tinsley, Jr,  and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends whom she loved.

Don't Cry For Me

Don't cry for me now I have died, for I'm still here I'm by your side,

My body's gone but my soul is here, please don't shed another tear,

I am still here I'm all around, only my body lies in the ground.

I am the snowflake that kisses your nose,

I am the frost, that nips your toes.

I am the sun ,bringing you light,

I am the star, shining so bright.

I am the rain, refreshing the earth,

I am the laughter, I am the mirth.

I am the bird, up in the sky,

I am the cloud, that's drifting by.

I am the thoughts, inside your head,

While I'm still there, I can't be dead.