Mary Frances Howard

On Monday the 12th of January, 2026, Mary Frances Howard (Andrews, Lloyd, McCoy) was called home to the Lord at the age of 88.

Born in Orange County, North Carolina, on November 3, 1937, Frances was the second child and eldest daughter of James Berry Andrews and Ruth Teer Andrews. She was raised in a close-knit family, and from an early age showed the compassion, strength, and quiet leadership that would define her life. She attended White Cross School and later graduated from Chapel Hill High School, forming lifelong roots in the community she loved so deeply.

Frances married the great love of her life, Robert Lee “R.L.” Lloyd, on September 1, 1954. Together they welcomed two children, Robert Lee and Lisha Ruth, and shared a love she often described as a beautiful story that ended too soon. After only five years of marriage, R.L. was tragically killed in a logging accident in 1959 - a loss that shaped her life, yet never diminished her faith, grace, or ability to love fully again.

In 1961, Frances married Billy McCoy and they were together for twelve years. Prior to this, she had pursued secretarial training and began her professional career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During her long career with the university, she worked in several different departments, though her longest and most cherished tenure was with the School of Library Science. There she made lifelong friends and fond memories. This was also when she found her second great love: Tar Heel basketball! A devoted season ticket holder for close to 50 years, Frances rarely missed a game; but if she couldn’t make it, you could guarantee she’d be watching at home - though she almost always chose to sport headphones so she could listen to Woody Durham call the game on the radio instead of listening to the television broadcast announcers.

In 1980, Frances boldly declared her faith and was baptized as a born-again Christian. From that moment forward, her life became a reflection of Christ’s love. She didn’t just speak her faith, she lived it: and all who knew her felt Jesus through her kindness, generosity, and servant’s heart.

Frances found love again in 1988 with Lester Howard, whom she married in January 1989. She always said that he “checked all her boxes,” and she loved him deeply. Together they built a joyful life filled with adventure, traveling far and wide: visiting Alaska, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and many other amazing places. However, they especially treasured time spent at their mountain home in West Jefferson, North Carolina, surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation.

During the later years of Lester’s life, he unfortunately suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. Despite this heartbreaking diagnosis and the difficult journey it presented them both, Frances met it with unwavering devotion, and became both a loving caregiver and a fierce advocate. After Lester’s passing in 2003, she dedicated more than 13 years to leading Alzheimer’s caregiver support groups and serving with advocacy organizations, including the Alzheimer's Association in Raleigh. For her compassion, leadership, and tireless service, she was honored as Fuquay-Varina Citizen of the Year in 2013.

Always the life of the party, Frances also found time to found a chapter of the Red Hat Society in Fuquay, which she remained a member of for many years. Luncheons, meetings, parties, and trips gave her endless joy and laughter with her fellow members - always complete with the signature look of vivid purples dresses and crimson hats. She relished the chance to dress boldly and create memories with her Red Hat sisters, full of stories, smiles, and often a little mischief. Her “pranks” were known by her neighbors and friends: her personal favorite was ensuring they’d be greeted with their own flock of yard flamingos (or a flamboyance, rather) on their birthdays, a favor returned to her countless times!

After a series of strokes in 2015, Frances faced recovery with determination and faith. She took the need to gain strength in her arm and hand by relearning how to write, and turned that effort into purpose by compiling decades of journals and reflections into a short memoir titled “We Thought It Would Last Forever,” which is a testament to her resilience, honesty, and enduring hope.

Frances was especially known for her extraordinary hospitality. Her home was a place of warmth and welcome, especially on Sunday evenings when her family could often be found gathered around her table. She had a rare gift for making people feel loved, accepted, and at home, living out her faith in quiet, powerful ways, and her loss will leave a hole in the hearts of all who knew her.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents James Berry and Ruth Teer Andrews, her first true love and husband R.L. Lloyd, her older brother Berry Gene Andrews (Joanne), younger sister Margaret Baker (Bobby), and beloved husband Lester Howard. She is survived by her children, Lee Lloyd (Renée) of Fuquay-Varina, Lisha Lueck (Joel) of Oak Island, grandchildren Robert Joseph “Seph” Lloyd, Mary Kristen Lueck, Élan Lloyd Theriault (Sean), and Caleb Tyler Lueck (Megan), great-grandsons Elliott Robert Lueck and Oliver Lee Theriault, as well as her brother Walter Robert Andrews (Nancy) of Chapel Hill, and several adored nieces and nephews.

The family will greet friends and loved ones on Friday, January 16, 2026 at 12:00 p.m., prior to the funeral service at 1:00 p.m., followed by a graveside service at Antioch Baptist Church at 1707 White Cross Rd., Chapel Hill, North Carolina. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Alzheimer's Association or Liberty Home Care & Hospice in Supply, NC.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11