Frances S. McDowell, age 98, of New Smyrna Beach, died Thursday, April 20, 2023 at Fairgreen Assisted Living Facility. Born in Pelham, Georgia to Frank E. and Bertha Whiddon Spence, Frances came to the area  in 1961 from the greater Orlando area.

A teacher in the local Volusia County School system for 28 years, she was a member of the Servants Quarters Fellowship, New Smyrna Beach, was a member of 1st Baptist Church, New Smyrna Beach before Servants Quarters, and was an avid traveler with the Friendship Force. Frances was an amazing pianist and loved music, traveling, and her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother.

Survivors include her son, Nonus (Stacey) Mc Dowell III, of Steam Boat Springs, Colorado; three daughters, Connie Grobstein, of Georgetown, Kentucky; Sheryl Delk, of Columbia, Tennessee, and Mimi (Terry) Vaughn, of New Smyrna Beach; twelve grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren. Frances was preceded in death by her parents and husband of 38 years, Nonus O. McDowell, Jr.

Graveside service will be 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 27, 2023 at Edgewater-New Smyrna Cemetery, with Dr. David Starkey, Servants Quarters Fellowship, New Smyrna Beach, officiating. Friends will be received Wednesday, April 26, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Thursday, April 27, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Settle-Wilder Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to American Cancer Society SE Florida, 1737 N. Clyde Morris Blvd., Suite 140, Daytona Beach, FL  32117.

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