Obituary of Frances Travis

FRANCES TRAVIS Frances Latham Marshall Travis, age 90, was a resident at Parr’s Assisted Living in Louisville, Kentucky. She passed away at Baptist East Hospital on November 1, 2014 after a brief illness. Frances was born on November 3, 1923 in Frankfort, Kentucky to the late Campbell and Marguerite Marshall, where she was welcomed by her two brothers, Tom and David, and her beloved grandmother, Fannie Frazier. She attended Frankfort High School and was a member of the Class of 1941. Like all women of her generation, since careers were not for women, she was raised to get married, have children and run the household. After graduation Frances headed to Bowling Green to attend secretarial school where she earned the equivalent of an associate degree. Upon graduation, Frances returned home to Frankfort and went to work in the Department of Revenue secretarial pool, but was quickly promoted to secretary for the Deputy Commissioner of Revenue. Frances was not satisfied with her career path and in 1954 left her job to work in the gubernatorial campaign of Happy Chandler. It was during this campaign that Frances met Thelma Stovall, who was running for Secretary of State. Frances managed the Stovall campaign and together these two women began a career that spanned over 24 years wherein they advocated for civil rights, labor unions and women’s rights. Frances served three terms as Assistant Secretary of State, two terms as Assistant State Treasurer, and finally as Assistant Lt. Governor. She managed the campaign for the Office of Lt. Governor and succeeded in electing the first woman Lt. Governor. During her career, Frances had many accomplishments and was recognized with many awards for her service to state government and its retirees. After retirement from state government, Frances became a lobbyist for the Kentucky Association of Public Annuitants (KAPA), and served as President of KAPA from 1984-1985. She successfully lobbied the Kentucky General Assembly for a cost of living increase for retired state government employees and was honored in 1990 with an award from KAPA for achieving legislative goals. Additionally, this same organization awarded her the Harry Lee Waterfield Achievement Award for her roles in state government and service on behalf of state employees. She was recognized for her career in state government with a plaque honoring her 35 years of service to the state of Kentucky and its citizens. A lifelong resident of Frankfort, she married in 1958 and had two daughters, Marguerite and Frances. Frances was committed to her family and community and believed strongly in giving back. She was a life long member of the First Presbyterian Church of Frankfort, Kentucky, sitting in the same pew she sat in with her mother and grandmother. She loved music and took every opportunity to sing joyously whether at church or home. Frances was a church elder and diligent fundraiser and was most proud of her efforts to raise funds to restore the church’s organ. She was active in the historical preservation of several buildings in Frankfort. She was also a member of the Frankfort Arts Foundation and the YMCA and received several awards for her community service. Frances was passionate about football and instilled the love of the game in her daughter Frances. Many a Sunday afternoon was spent on the couch watching her beloved Bengals. She loved to play poker and always looked forward to her Friday night card game with her friends. She was a life long learner and avid reader. She shared her love of books with her daughter Marguerite and her granddaughter Calley, and spent many a weekend morning reading with Calley. She loved to travel, at first with her daughters, and then with her grandchildren. Frances was a champion for women’s rights and believed education was the foundation for women to receive equal treatment in the work place and provide for their security and support. She worked tirelessly to establish programs and support legislation to help women achieve parity. While she accomplished much in her life, her greatest achievement was the role model she was to her daughters. She showed her daughters that nothing is impossible, taught them to celebrate their differences, have a sense of humor and use it often, love each other and watch out for each other, be impeccable with their word, always do their best, show up and be present. Frances was a remarkable woman who touched many lives. She truly was a woman of substance. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Thomas Frazier Marshall (1970) and David Michael Marshall (1980). She is survived by her daughters, Marguerite Rowland (Steven) and Dr. Frances Thompson, MD (Tyler) and six grandchildren, Marshall Rowland, Travis Rowland, Calley Thompson, Stephanie Rowland, Madison Thompson, and Ellery Thompson. Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2014 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm in the Chapel at the First Presbyterian Church 416 W. Main Street, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601. The service will be held in the Church’s sanctuary immediately following visitation. Burial will be at the Frankfort Cemetery. Officiating will be Sandy Lacey, Pastor.