Frances Earle Mills Faulkner

Frances Earle Mills Faulkner, 90, died peacefully on Sunday, November 11, 2018. A celebration of her life will be held at Central UMC on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, at 11:00 AM directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home.The family will receive friends after the service in the Commons area and at the home of Missy and Gary Brown.A private committal service will be held at a later date in the Columbarium of the church. Mrs. Faulkner was born on March 20, 1928, in Columbia, SC, to Otis Terrell and Annie Blease Sandifer Mills. She graduated from Columbia High School and worked for Southern Bell.She was married to the late Reverend Robert “Bobby” Cleo Faulkner for 61 years. They started dating in junior high school and were apart only during his military service in WW II. Up until just several weeks ago, she loved hearing and reading the letters Bobby wrote to her while he was away.When he returned, they married and left for Wofford College, where he completed his work toward ordained ministry in the United Methodist Church. As a “preacher’s wife”, Mrs. Faulkner was active in all aspects of church life, including Sunday School classes, circles, handbell choirs and Meals on Wheels programs. Their appointments included churches in Spartanburg, Lancaster, Greenville, Cheraw, North Augusta, and Summerville. In 1979, the Faulkners were appointed to Central UMC in Florence where they served for 10 years and then retired.During her time at Central, Mrs. Faulkner was awarded the United Methodist Women’s Lifetime Service Award, and she was instrumental in starting the Sunshine Class. Outside of church work, Mrs. Faulkner was also active in the Florence community.She was a member of The Florentine Society, where she served as president. She also volunteered for Breast Cancer Awareness and with the Florence County Voting Commission. During their retirement, the Faulkners traveled and especially enjoyed a trip to Germany with her sister and brother-in-law. Mrs. Faulkner was active with her husband in the founding and building of The United Methodist Manor of the Pee Dee. Many residents called Frances “The Ambassador of the Manor.” She also loved music and wrote in a journal:“The music of life to me is when I hear the voices of my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren say to me, ‘I love you!!’And my thanks to God for giving me these wonderful gifts.” Mrs. Faulkner is survived by her four children: Billie Faulkner Thomy (Jim) of Lake City, Robert Earl Faulkner (Carmen) of Rock Hill; Charles Frederick Faulkner (Fran) of North Augusta; and Missy Faulkner Brown (Gary) of Florence. Surviving also are her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Jay Thomy (Laurie), Chip Faulkner, Meg Thomy, Michael Thomy, Mary Courtney Faulkner, Mills Brown, J.T. Brown, Collin Brown, LeighAnn Faulkner, Grace Anne Brown, Frankie Howell, Lauren Amos,Catie Thomy, Ellie Thomy, C.J. Thomy, Taylor Howell, Bryce Howell, Kylie Amos and Kensie Amos. She is also survived by her beloved sister, Alma Gene Mills Gates of Columbia and a special cousin, Barbara Goelz McDowell of Virginia and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a bother, Otis Terrell Mills, Junior. The family is thankful to all of the wonderful caretakers at The Manor for their love and devotion to Mrs. Faulkner and all of the residents there. Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 87, Florence, SC 29503; The Manor, 2100 Twin Church Road, Florence, SC29501; or a charity of one’s choice. Please sign the tribute wall for the family at www.stoudenmiredowling.com.