Frances "Frenchy" Proctor died at home Friday, October 2, 2009 after a long illness; her funeral was the next Sunday. She was one of the city's leading socialites from the 1950s to 1990s. She and her second husband, the late dentist Earl "Stompy" Proctor, threw numerous lavish parties at their mansion, Taproots, on Thomasville Road. The parties always included sumptuous food, fabulous decorations and laughter.
For opening nights of plays at Florida State University, she dressed like the lead female character — for "Little Foxes," she came draped in three fox head fur stoles. She wore hats of every size and description, drove a powder blue Rolls Royce convertible and had a standing reservation on the Queen Elizabeth II. She was one of the city's best bridge players.
Frances "Frenchy" Proctor was flamboyant, colorful and talented — which made her one of the most memorable personalities in Tallahassee history.
"She was sometimes very wild yet she was very helpful to me and the theater," said Dick Fallon, dean emeritus of the FSU School of Theatre. "She enjoyed being around our students, and they enjoyed being around her because she was enjoying life and that was catching."
"You were never bored in her presence," said Mickey Hartsfield, a friend since second grade. "She was just the neatest woman who ever lived."
Proctor ("Frenchy" was a takeoff on Frances) was born in nearby Climax, Ga. to Ralph Gibson and his wife Gertrude Robinson, and moved to Tallahassee at an early age. The third of four children of a well-to-do father, she was a member of the May Party Court at Leon High — where she displayed an early gift for flair.
At a prom in the late 1930s, other girls wore traditional dresses. Proctor constructed a sheath dress colored turquoise on one side and magenta on the other and wore one shoe of each color on her feet.
"She was the hit of the evening of course, but not at all the little Southern girl," said fellow Leon student Mart Hill. "She was a real individual."
Proctor's passion was the theater. She earned a degree in drama at the University of North Carolina and, after college, acted in productions at Tallahassee Little Theater. She spent most of her adult life supporting the arts.
She was one of the leading patrons of the FSU Theater and the LeMoyne Art Foundation. She helped save the Monticello Opera House and was an archivist for the Tallahassee Symphony. In 1972, she led the Tallahassee Garden Club's participation in a statewide campaign to reduce litter on Florida highways.
By her first marriage to Paul Harper, she was the mother of three daughters: Paulette, Francie, and Ginny. She warmly embraced by the four children of her second husband: Earl Jr, Patricia, Brian, Valerie.
"She was a very vivacious woman, who just loved life and loved people," said Dorothy Clifford, retired features editor of the Tallahassee Democrat. "She made everyone feel as if they were special to her."
∼Frances Gibson Proctor, "Frenchy," of Tallahassee died at home on October 1, 2009.
No accolades could express the spirit of the woman who was known as "Frenchy." Born to parents Ralph Hutchinson Gibson "Hutch," and Gertrude Robinson Gibson in Climax, Georgia, she was the third of four children: Mildred Gibson Wright, Carr Monroe Gibson, and Senator Leonard Peterson Gibson "Pete." Her family soon moved to Tallahassee where she received her primary and secondary schooling at Caroline Brevard and Leon High School. In her senior year, she was an attendant in the May Party Court. She attended Florida State College for Women and Brenau College. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a major in Drama.
Shortly after graduation, Frenchy married her college sweetheart, Paul Elisha Harper, of Winston-Salem, N.C. Three lovely daughters were produced by this union: Paulette Harper Rommel, Francie Harper Hanway, and Virginia Harper Majors. The next generation quickly followed with the births of six grandchildren: Gabriel Gibson Hanway, Harper Elisha Hanway, Jason Randolph Smith, Paulette Gwendolyn Majors, Abbie Lee Majors Roehm, and Mildred Wright Majors. Frenchy had the good fortune to enjoy the arrival of two great-grandchildren. Amelia Kathryn Smith "Kate," and Gabriel Hardwick Smith.
Doctor Earl Williamson Proctor "Stompy," her second husband, brought four more delightful children into Frenchy's life: Earl Williamson Proctor, Jr. "Kip," Patricia Proctor Camp, Brian Corbett Proctor, and Valerie Proctor Gardner. The new additions to this branch of the ever-growing family were Kevin Bryant Camp, Kristen Camp Clifford, Corbett Thomas Proctor, Richard Jacob Gardner III "Trey," and Chad Proctor Gardner. Frenchy embraced the great-grandchildren of the Proctor clan as her own: Kayla Lee Camp, Callen Grace Camp, Colbie Faith Camp, Camp Alexander Clifford, Ainsley Patricia Clifford, Grayson Elizabeth Gardner, Jacob Porter Gardner "Jake," Hudson Robert Gardner. Throughout her life,
Frenchy pursued many cultural interests. In college she acted in many dramatic productions and later participated in The Tallahassee Little Theatre. Frenchy was also a patron of the arts: she was archivist for The Tallahassee Symphony Society and helped organize many of their fundraisers. A staunch supporter of The Lemoyne Foundation, she was frequently seen at their art auctions and gallery openings. Frenchy was also very civic-minded. She helped save the Monticello Opera House and spearheaded her "Glenn Glitter" campaign to promote litter-free highways throughout the state of Florida. She was a longtime member of the Cotillion Club, St. Andrew's Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Tiger Bay Club, Holly Garden Circle, Economics Club, Capital City Country Club, and Trinity Methodist Church.
A renowned hostess, Frenchy entertained lavishly at her antebellum-style home, Taproots. She loved attending all types of social functions and enjoyed being the life of the party. She always wore cleverly designed outfits to match the theme of the occasion. Frenchy constantly sought out new experiences through world travel and intellectual stimulation and achieved Life Master in Duplicate Bridge.
Frenchy is survived by her children, grandchildren, and Dorothy Ogden Dubreuil "Dot," her first cousin, toward whom she bestowed the love of a sister. Frenchy had a special relationship with Dot's daughter, her god-daughter, Dorothy Dubreuil Mace "Dodi." Frenchy's radiant smile and magnetic personality will not soon be forgotten by her family and many friends.
Published in Tallahassee Democrat on October 4, 2009
For opening nights of plays at Florida State University, she dressed like the lead female character — for "Little Foxes," she came draped in three fox head fur stoles. She wore hats of every size and description, drove a powder blue Rolls Royce convertible and had a standing reservation on the Queen Elizabeth II. She was one of the city's best bridge players.
Frances "Frenchy" Proctor was flamboyant, colorful and talented — which made her one of the most memorable personalities in Tallahassee history.
"She was sometimes very wild yet she was very helpful to me and the theater," said Dick Fallon, dean emeritus of the FSU School of Theatre. "She enjoyed being around our students, and they enjoyed being around her because she was enjoying life and that was catching."
"You were never bored in her presence," said Mickey Hartsfield, a friend since second grade. "She was just the neatest woman who ever lived."
Proctor ("Frenchy" was a takeoff on Frances) was born in nearby Climax, Ga. to Ralph Gibson and his wife Gertrude Robinson, and moved to Tallahassee at an early age. The third of four children of a well-to-do father, she was a member of the May Party Court at Leon High — where she displayed an early gift for flair.
At a prom in the late 1930s, other girls wore traditional dresses. Proctor constructed a sheath dress colored turquoise on one side and magenta on the other and wore one shoe of each color on her feet.
"She was the hit of the evening of course, but not at all the little Southern girl," said fellow Leon student Mart Hill. "She was a real individual."
Proctor's passion was the theater. She earned a degree in drama at the University of North Carolina and, after college, acted in productions at Tallahassee Little Theater. She spent most of her adult life supporting the arts.
She was one of the leading patrons of the FSU Theater and the LeMoyne Art Foundation. She helped save the Monticello Opera House and was an archivist for the Tallahassee Symphony. In 1972, she led the Tallahassee Garden Club's participation in a statewide campaign to reduce litter on Florida highways.
By her first marriage to Paul Harper, she was the mother of three daughters: Paulette, Francie, and Ginny. She warmly embraced by the four children of her second husband: Earl Jr, Patricia, Brian, Valerie.
"She was a very vivacious woman, who just loved life and loved people," said Dorothy Clifford, retired features editor of the Tallahassee Democrat. "She made everyone feel as if they were special to her."
∼Frances Gibson Proctor, "Frenchy," of Tallahassee died at home on October 1, 2009.
No accolades could express the spirit of the woman who was known as "Frenchy." Born to parents Ralph Hutchinson Gibson "Hutch," and Gertrude Robinson Gibson in Climax, Georgia, she was the third of four children: Mildred Gibson Wright, Carr Monroe Gibson, and Senator Leonard Peterson Gibson "Pete." Her family soon moved to Tallahassee where she received her primary and secondary schooling at Caroline Brevard and Leon High School. In her senior year, she was an attendant in the May Party Court. She attended Florida State College for Women and Brenau College. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a major in Drama.
Shortly after graduation, Frenchy married her college sweetheart, Paul Elisha Harper, of Winston-Salem, N.C. Three lovely daughters were produced by this union: Paulette Harper Rommel, Francie Harper Hanway, and Virginia Harper Majors. The next generation quickly followed with the births of six grandchildren: Gabriel Gibson Hanway, Harper Elisha Hanway, Jason Randolph Smith, Paulette Gwendolyn Majors, Abbie Lee Majors Roehm, and Mildred Wright Majors. Frenchy had the good fortune to enjoy the arrival of two great-grandchildren. Amelia Kathryn Smith "Kate," and Gabriel Hardwick Smith.
Doctor Earl Williamson Proctor "Stompy," her second husband, brought four more delightful children into Frenchy's life: Earl Williamson Proctor, Jr. "Kip," Patricia Proctor Camp, Brian Corbett Proctor, and Valerie Proctor Gardner. The new additions to this branch of the ever-growing family were Kevin Bryant Camp, Kristen Camp Clifford, Corbett Thomas Proctor, Richard Jacob Gardner III "Trey," and Chad Proctor Gardner. Frenchy embraced the great-grandchildren of the Proctor clan as her own: Kayla Lee Camp, Callen Grace Camp, Colbie Faith Camp, Camp Alexander Clifford, Ainsley Patricia Clifford, Grayson Elizabeth Gardner, Jacob Porter Gardner "Jake," Hudson Robert Gardner. Throughout her life,
Frenchy pursued many cultural interests. In college she acted in many dramatic productions and later participated in The Tallahassee Little Theatre. Frenchy was also a patron of the arts: she was archivist for The Tallahassee Symphony Society and helped organize many of their fundraisers. A staunch supporter of The Lemoyne Foundation, she was frequently seen at their art auctions and gallery openings. Frenchy was also very civic-minded. She helped save the Monticello Opera House and spearheaded her "Glenn Glitter" campaign to promote litter-free highways throughout the state of Florida. She was a longtime member of the Cotillion Club, St. Andrew's Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Tiger Bay Club, Holly Garden Circle, Economics Club, Capital City Country Club, and Trinity Methodist Church.
A renowned hostess, Frenchy entertained lavishly at her antebellum-style home, Taproots. She loved attending all types of social functions and enjoyed being the life of the party. She always wore cleverly designed outfits to match the theme of the occasion. Frenchy constantly sought out new experiences through world travel and intellectual stimulation and achieved Life Master in Duplicate Bridge.
Frenchy is survived by her children, grandchildren, and Dorothy Ogden Dubreuil "Dot," her first cousin, toward whom she bestowed the love of a sister. Frenchy had a special relationship with Dot's daughter, her god-daughter, Dorothy Dubreuil Mace "Dodi." Frenchy's radiant smile and magnetic personality will not soon be forgotten by her family and many friends.
Published in Tallahassee Democrat on October 4, 2009
Frances "Frenchy" Proctor died at home Friday, October 2, 2009 after a long illness; her funeral was the next Sunday. She was one of the city's leading socialites from the 1950s to 1990s. She and her second husband, the late dentist Earl "Stompy" Proctor, threw numerous lavish parties at their mansion, Taproots, on Thomasville Road. The parties always included sumptuous food, fabulous decorations and laughter.
For opening nights of plays at Florida State University, she dressed like the lead female character — for "Little Foxes," she came draped in three fox head fur stoles. She wore hats of every size and description, drove a powder blue Rolls Royce convertible and had a standing reservation on the Queen Elizabeth II. She was one of the city's best bridge players.
Frances "Frenchy" Proctor was flamboyant, colorful and talented — which made her one of the most memorable personalities in Tallahassee history.
"She was sometimes very wild yet she was very helpful to me and the theater," said Dick Fallon, dean emeritus of the FSU School of Theatre. "She enjoyed being around our students, and they enjoyed being around her because she was enjoying life and that was catching."
"You were never bored in her presence," said Mickey Hartsfield, a friend since second grade. "She was just the neatest woman who ever lived."
Proctor ("Frenchy" was a takeoff on Frances) was born in nearby Climax, Ga. to Ralph Gibson and his wife Gertrude Robinson, and moved to Tallahassee at an early age. The third of four children of a well-to-do father, she was a member of the May Party Court at Leon High — where she displayed an early gift for flair.
At a prom in the late 1930s, other girls wore traditional dresses. Proctor constructed a sheath dress colored turquoise on one side and magenta on the other and wore one shoe of each color on her feet.
"She was the hit of the evening of course, but not at all the little Southern girl," said fellow Leon student Mart Hill. "She was a real individual."
Proctor's passion was the theater. She earned a degree in drama at the University of North Carolina and, after college, acted in productions at Tallahassee Little Theater. She spent most of her adult life supporting the arts.
She was one of the leading patrons of the FSU Theater and the LeMoyne Art Foundation. She helped save the Monticello Opera House and was an archivist for the Tallahassee Symphony. In 1972, she led the Tallahassee Garden Club's participation in a statewide campaign to reduce litter on Florida highways.
By her first marriage to Paul Harper, she was the mother of three daughters: Paulette, Francie, and Ginny. She warmly embraced by the four children of her second husband: Earl Jr, Patricia, Brian, Valerie.
"She was a very vivacious woman, who just loved life and loved people," said Dorothy Clifford, retired features editor of the Tallahassee Democrat. "She made everyone feel as if they were special to her."
∼Frances Gibson Proctor, "Frenchy," of Tallahassee died at home on October 1, 2009.
No accolades could express the spirit of the woman who was known as "Frenchy." Born to parents Ralph Hutchinson Gibson "Hutch," and Gertrude Robinson Gibson in Climax, Georgia, she was the third of four children: Mildred Gibson Wright, Carr Monroe Gibson, and Senator Leonard Peterson Gibson "Pete." Her family soon moved to Tallahassee where she received her primary and secondary schooling at Caroline Brevard and Leon High School. In her senior year, she was an attendant in the May Party Court. She attended Florida State College for Women and Brenau College. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a major in Drama.
Shortly after graduation, Frenchy married her college sweetheart, Paul Elisha Harper, of Winston-Salem, N.C. Three lovely daughters were produced by this union: Paulette Harper Rommel, Francie Harper Hanway, and Virginia Harper Majors. The next generation quickly followed with the births of six grandchildren: Gabriel Gibson Hanway, Harper Elisha Hanway, Jason Randolph Smith, Paulette Gwendolyn Majors, Abbie Lee Majors Roehm, and Mildred Wright Majors. Frenchy had the good fortune to enjoy the arrival of two great-grandchildren. Amelia Kathryn Smith "Kate," and Gabriel Hardwick Smith.
Doctor Earl Williamson Proctor "Stompy," her second husband, brought four more delightful children into Frenchy's life: Earl Williamson Proctor, Jr. "Kip," Patricia Proctor Camp, Brian Corbett Proctor, and Valerie Proctor Gardner. The new additions to this branch of the ever-growing family were Kevin Bryant Camp, Kristen Camp Clifford, Corbett Thomas Proctor, Richard Jacob Gardner III "Trey," and Chad Proctor Gardner. Frenchy embraced the great-grandchildren of the Proctor clan as her own: Kayla Lee Camp, Callen Grace Camp, Colbie Faith Camp, Camp Alexander Clifford, Ainsley Patricia Clifford, Grayson Elizabeth Gardner, Jacob Porter Gardner "Jake," Hudson Robert Gardner. Throughout her life,
Frenchy pursued many cultural interests. In college she acted in many dramatic productions and later participated in The Tallahassee Little Theatre. Frenchy was also a patron of the arts: she was archivist for The Tallahassee Symphony Society and helped organize many of their fundraisers. A staunch supporter of The Lemoyne Foundation, she was frequently seen at their art auctions and gallery openings. Frenchy was also very civic-minded. She helped save the Monticello Opera House and spearheaded her "Glenn Glitter" campaign to promote litter-free highways throughout the state of Florida. She was a longtime member of the Cotillion Club, St. Andrew's Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Tiger Bay Club, Holly Garden Circle, Economics Club, Capital City Country Club, and Trinity Methodist Church.
A renowned hostess, Frenchy entertained lavishly at her antebellum-style home, Taproots. She loved attending all types of social functions and enjoyed being the life of the party. She always wore cleverly designed outfits to match the theme of the occasion. Frenchy constantly sought out new experiences through world travel and intellectual stimulation and achieved Life Master in Duplicate Bridge.
Frenchy is survived by her children, grandchildren, and Dorothy Ogden Dubreuil "Dot," her first cousin, toward whom she bestowed the love of a sister. Frenchy had a special relationship with Dot's daughter, her god-daughter, Dorothy Dubreuil Mace "Dodi." Frenchy's radiant smile and magnetic personality will not soon be forgotten by her family and many friends.
Published in Tallahassee Democrat on October 4, 2009
For opening nights of plays at Florida State University, she dressed like the lead female character — for "Little Foxes," she came draped in three fox head fur stoles. She wore hats of every size and description, drove a powder blue Rolls Royce convertible and had a standing reservation on the Queen Elizabeth II. She was one of the city's best bridge players.
Frances "Frenchy" Proctor was flamboyant, colorful and talented — which made her one of the most memorable personalities in Tallahassee history.
"She was sometimes very wild yet she was very helpful to me and the theater," said Dick Fallon, dean emeritus of the FSU School of Theatre. "She enjoyed being around our students, and they enjoyed being around her because she was enjoying life and that was catching."
"You were never bored in her presence," said Mickey Hartsfield, a friend since second grade. "She was just the neatest woman who ever lived."
Proctor ("Frenchy" was a takeoff on Frances) was born in nearby Climax, Ga. to Ralph Gibson and his wife Gertrude Robinson, and moved to Tallahassee at an early age. The third of four children of a well-to-do father, she was a member of the May Party Court at Leon High — where she displayed an early gift for flair.
At a prom in the late 1930s, other girls wore traditional dresses. Proctor constructed a sheath dress colored turquoise on one side and magenta on the other and wore one shoe of each color on her feet.
"She was the hit of the evening of course, but not at all the little Southern girl," said fellow Leon student Mart Hill. "She was a real individual."
Proctor's passion was the theater. She earned a degree in drama at the University of North Carolina and, after college, acted in productions at Tallahassee Little Theater. She spent most of her adult life supporting the arts.
She was one of the leading patrons of the FSU Theater and the LeMoyne Art Foundation. She helped save the Monticello Opera House and was an archivist for the Tallahassee Symphony. In 1972, she led the Tallahassee Garden Club's participation in a statewide campaign to reduce litter on Florida highways.
By her first marriage to Paul Harper, she was the mother of three daughters: Paulette, Francie, and Ginny. She warmly embraced by the four children of her second husband: Earl Jr, Patricia, Brian, Valerie.
"She was a very vivacious woman, who just loved life and loved people," said Dorothy Clifford, retired features editor of the Tallahassee Democrat. "She made everyone feel as if they were special to her."
∼Frances Gibson Proctor, "Frenchy," of Tallahassee died at home on October 1, 2009.
No accolades could express the spirit of the woman who was known as "Frenchy." Born to parents Ralph Hutchinson Gibson "Hutch," and Gertrude Robinson Gibson in Climax, Georgia, she was the third of four children: Mildred Gibson Wright, Carr Monroe Gibson, and Senator Leonard Peterson Gibson "Pete." Her family soon moved to Tallahassee where she received her primary and secondary schooling at Caroline Brevard and Leon High School. In her senior year, she was an attendant in the May Party Court. She attended Florida State College for Women and Brenau College. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a major in Drama.
Shortly after graduation, Frenchy married her college sweetheart, Paul Elisha Harper, of Winston-Salem, N.C. Three lovely daughters were produced by this union: Paulette Harper Rommel, Francie Harper Hanway, and Virginia Harper Majors. The next generation quickly followed with the births of six grandchildren: Gabriel Gibson Hanway, Harper Elisha Hanway, Jason Randolph Smith, Paulette Gwendolyn Majors, Abbie Lee Majors Roehm, and Mildred Wright Majors. Frenchy had the good fortune to enjoy the arrival of two great-grandchildren. Amelia Kathryn Smith "Kate," and Gabriel Hardwick Smith.
Doctor Earl Williamson Proctor "Stompy," her second husband, brought four more delightful children into Frenchy's life: Earl Williamson Proctor, Jr. "Kip," Patricia Proctor Camp, Brian Corbett Proctor, and Valerie Proctor Gardner. The new additions to this branch of the ever-growing family were Kevin Bryant Camp, Kristen Camp Clifford, Corbett Thomas Proctor, Richard Jacob Gardner III "Trey," and Chad Proctor Gardner. Frenchy embraced the great-grandchildren of the Proctor clan as her own: Kayla Lee Camp, Callen Grace Camp, Colbie Faith Camp, Camp Alexander Clifford, Ainsley Patricia Clifford, Grayson Elizabeth Gardner, Jacob Porter Gardner "Jake," Hudson Robert Gardner. Throughout her life,
Frenchy pursued many cultural interests. In college she acted in many dramatic productions and later participated in The Tallahassee Little Theatre. Frenchy was also a patron of the arts: she was archivist for The Tallahassee Symphony Society and helped organize many of their fundraisers. A staunch supporter of The Lemoyne Foundation, she was frequently seen at their art auctions and gallery openings. Frenchy was also very civic-minded. She helped save the Monticello Opera House and spearheaded her "Glenn Glitter" campaign to promote litter-free highways throughout the state of Florida. She was a longtime member of the Cotillion Club, St. Andrew's Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Tiger Bay Club, Holly Garden Circle, Economics Club, Capital City Country Club, and Trinity Methodist Church.
A renowned hostess, Frenchy entertained lavishly at her antebellum-style home, Taproots. She loved attending all types of social functions and enjoyed being the life of the party. She always wore cleverly designed outfits to match the theme of the occasion. Frenchy constantly sought out new experiences through world travel and intellectual stimulation and achieved Life Master in Duplicate Bridge.
Frenchy is survived by her children, grandchildren, and Dorothy Ogden Dubreuil "Dot," her first cousin, toward whom she bestowed the love of a sister. Frenchy had a special relationship with Dot's daughter, her god-daughter, Dorothy Dubreuil Mace "Dodi." Frenchy's radiant smile and magnetic personality will not soon be forgotten by her family and many friends.
Published in Tallahassee Democrat on October 4, 2009
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