Frances Smith Thomas, Manchester College alumna, Class of 1939.  Student of Cordier, friend of Coretta Scott King and Yolanda King, educator, scholar, activist and musician.

See also:

• Frances wrote a song about Manchester College. It can be found in the Music Filing Cabinet (IIS).
• transcript of Frances Smith Thomas' memorial service, MC2007/134

Frances Smith Thomas, Class of 1939, was a student of Andrew Cordier, friend of the Martin Luther King, Jr. family, and was a musician and educator.

Coretta Scott King and Yolanda King (firstborn child of Coretta Scott King and Martin Luther King, Jr.) were two of those who spoke in memory of Frances at a memorial service held in Petersime Chapel on the Manchester College campus, 13 March 1999.  Frances and her husband were employed at the high school attended by Coretta, and Frances helped inspire Coretta to attend college. Frances and Coretta were also musicians, Coretta an outstanding vocalist.  Frances was very close to the King family and offered great support following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Touching vignettes can be found in the transcript of the memorial service, MC2007/134.

Robert Green, who also spoke at Ms. Thomas' service said this about her:

"She always had a very strong and a deep and abiding mind.  She had a deep mind.  She had a deep, intellectual mind.  But she became a writer and a scholar on issues related to war, poverty, and racial discrimination.."

"Fran played violin.  Her office was three dooors from my office an din the venings after 6 p.m., sometimes I would work late, I could hear Fran playing the violin, just playing away.  And she did a remarkable job."