Frances Thornton Miller Tolbert's Obituary
Frances Thornton Miller Tolbert was born on July 11, 1922 in Slate Mills, Va., to Frances Olive
“Dolly” Thornton Miller and Silas Darius “Si” Miller. After leaving the family farm at
Hazelwood (Culpeper), she and her older brother John Lee “Jack” Miller spent much of their
childhood at Mount Vernon in Sperryville, where she participated in numerous extracurricular
activities. She was May queen for five years and a member of the undefeated Sperryville High
School Women’s Basketball team, champions of Northern Virginia. Frances graduated as
valedictorian from Sperryville High School.
After graduation, Frances worked in Richmond, Va., and on a return visit to Culpeper, she met E
L Tolbert. They were married in June 1947. Frances joined E L in Ohio where he earned a
master’s at Ohio State, and later Columbia University for his doctorate in counseling
psychology. While working full time, Frances took a full load of courses at Barnard College,
focusing her studies on library science and children’s literature.
When E L accepted different faculty positions, Frances continued her college studies at those
educational institutions. She took courses at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va., where
her husband served as dean of students, and later at Santa Fe College, Gainesville, Fla., when he
accepted a teaching position at the University of Florida in 1967.
Frances loved the beauty and lush vegetation of North Florida. Here, they raised two daughters
and helped raise two grandchildren. Frances assisted E L as editor and typist for his numerous
textbooks in counseling psychology. She taught remedial reading and volunteered in the schools.
She was active in the Episcopal church in Harrisonburg and Gainesville. She was a devoted
friend to all the cats she adopted and was every pet’s favorite human friend.
Frances died in January 2023 after she elected for emergency surgery and contracted COVID in
the ICU.. She is survived by two daughters Margaret Ross Tolbert and Jane Tolbert-Rouchaleau,
two grandchildren, Alexis (Janet Becker-Rouchaleau) Rouchaleau, and Sandra Rouchaleau (Ben
Grosset-Janin) as well as two great grandchildren, Axel and Jett Rouchaleau. Frances’ husband E
L passed away in 2002. She leaves behind her feline companion, Bijou, along with many good
neighbors and friends.
She did not believe anyone should be defined by their age. On her 80th birthday, she began
subtracting rather than adding years to her age. She lived in a house with many steps, gardened
and cared for three cats. She walked daily and chatted with neighbors and kept up with her
cousins in Virginia.
Frances was committed to lifelong learning and living up to one’s potential. She was the best
advocate for creative and independent work, and never wanted anyone to feel they had to “color
inside the lines.” She was gracious and giving, and colorful and unforgettable. Whenever people
notice beauty or follow their creative dreams, they are making a tribute to Frances.
Donations may be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Gainesville, Fla., or to the Alachua
Conservation Trust (Alachuaconservationtrust.org).
A graveside service will be held, Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 11 a.m. at Fairview Cemetery, Culpeper, VA.
An online guest book and tribute wall are available at www.foundandsons.com
Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is serving the family.
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