Emily Frances Duvall, 94 of Clayton Ga. passed away at her home on March 25, 2020 after a very long and full life.
Born in the Mossy Creek Community of White County, Ga. on March 11, 1926, Frances was the daughter of the late Robert Dorsey and Clora Autry Dorsey. Frances was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Louis Steve Duvall, Sr., son Louis Steve Duvall, Jr., grand-daughter Miley Elizabeth Duvall, brother Ralph Dorsey, sisters Henrietta Reid and Odessa Harrison and son in law, Stanley (Butch) Darnell.
Frances is survived by her daughter, Kay Duvall Darnell; son Jeffrey Hobson Duvall and wife Connie; grandsons L. Allyn Stockton Jr., Rob Stockton and wife Sherrie, Louis Steve Duvall, III and wife Ali; great-grandchildren L.A. (Lane) Stockton III, Meredith Stockton, Georgia Stockton, Gunner Stockton, Jeffrey Hobson Duvall, II; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Raised during the Great Depression, Frances grew up walking four miles one-way to school and spending all of her remaining hours laboring on her family’s farm.
Frances was an honor graduate of White County High School. After high school she worked for several years for Dr. L.G. Neal in Cleveland, Ga. and would make regular house calls with Dr. Neal and his wife. During her time with Dr. Neal she became acquainted with nearly every person in White County and could tell you in precise detail who was related to who until her last days. Dr. Neal’s practice where Frances worked was located in the Cleveland Clinic which would later become famous as Babyland General, home of the Cabbage Patch Kids.
Frances was a charter member of the Eastern Star Chapter in Cleveland, Georgia serving as Worthy Matron.
Frances married Steve Duvall after a short six-week courtship and didn’t tell her parents about her nuptials until a day after the service. Their marriage lasted for 65 years until Steve’s death in 2011.
Having a keen business mind and a spartan work ethic, Frances co-owned and operated Duvall Ford Company in Clayton beginning in 1956 and continued to work full-time at the dealership well past her 93rd birthday.
Frances was a lifelong Methodist, belonging to only two churches in her entire life: Mossy Creek Methodist Church and Clayton First United Methodist Church.
Frances loved her family and she loved attending her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s sporting events. Frances was regularly attending football and basketball games, home and away, until just two months before she died.
Frances loved Rabun County and its people and knew who everybody was and made everyone feel special.
Frances was loyal, honest and kind. Frances was very protective of her good reputation and her character was beyond reproach. She had no vices or regrets.
As wonderful as Frances was, you should have known her momma.
There will be no visitation due to the coronavirus pandemic. The family will have a private graveside service. A celebration of Mrs. Frances’ life will be scheduled at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Clayton First United Methodist Church in Clayton, Georgia.
Beck Funeral Home in Clayton, Georgia is in charge of the arrangements.