Mrs. Doris B France

Doris Lee (Beaver) France, passed away peacefully at the age of 90 in her home with her family, on October 4th 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents William Wesley lee beaver and Julia Mae Wilborn, her husband of 55 years James Howard France Sr., her son, Mark France, daughter Elizabeth France, her brothers Dewitt Beaver, Calvin Douglas Beaver “Uncle Bubba,” and sisters Margaret Horne, and Bernice Young.

Doris is survived by her son, James Howard France Jr. (Rhonda Dixon) of Conway, daughter Patricia Walcott (Jim) of Florida, grandsons, Ryley France of Milwaukee, Zachary France (Courtney) of Little Rock, and Jacob Dixon of Conway. Her granddaughters, Hannah Dixon of Conway, Nicki France (Carlos) of Los Angeles, her daughters-in-law, Patty France of Little Rock, Diane France of Milwaukee, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Doris graduated high school in Memphis, Tennessee and was a homemaker for many years raising her children before finishing up her career working in customer support for Arkansas Power and Light. She was proud of her service in that position, and was honored with several awards for her dedication over the years. She above all else valued generosity and kindness and spent her days and energy doing her best to support others. She and her late husband James France Sr. supported Conway Cradle Care for many years and spent countless Wednesdays volunteering for the hospital. She attended the Presbyterian Church in Conway unable to do so due to her health.

Doris, known as Dory to those close to her, was an avid knitter and was generous with her scarves and hats as she was with her affection. Always ready to lend an ear for your troubles and just as ready to return with a sassy remark that left everyone in the room laughing, she had an indomitable spirit and you could often find her working out at Conway Regional Fitness Center well into her 80’s. Her favorite words were “I can do it!”. She was also known for her rum cake. You knew you were special when you received one of her famous rum cakes.

The family would like to recognize the “village” who cared for her and our family over the last several years. There were many. Thank you to John Paul Henderson (JP), Norene Ealy, Cindy Dycus, Kathy Traylor, Nakedra Morris, Leeann Johnston, Christie Dumboski and her daughter Kati, and Arkansas Hospice whose help was what allowed us to keep her home as she requested.
Her amazing life will be celebrated at Griffith Leggett Funeral Home, 1751 Dave Ward Drive on Thursday October 8, 2020 with visitation at 10, services at 11 and graveside following, with Bro. Ken Jordan officiating.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations can be made in honor of Doris’ to the Faulkner County Humane Society, 2219 Washington Ave, Conway, AR 72032, https://www.fixingfaulknercounty.com, as there was always an animal in her lap.