Frances Neisler

Frances Weaver Neisler
Sarah Frances Weaver Neisler, 87 years old, a resident of Bickford House of Bloomington, IL, formerly of Jackson, TN, peacefully went to be with her Lord and God, January 5, 2014 at 9 a.m. Funeral services will be held at Arrington Funeral Directors, Jackson, TN on Saturday, January 11 at 11 a.m., with Rev. Harrell Phillips officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens, Jackson. Visitation at Arrington Funeral Directors will begin 2 hours prior to services at 9 a.m. on Saturday, January 11.

Sarah Frances Weaver Neisler was born January 24, 1926 in Sardis, TN, the daughter of Elbert Archie and Amanda Ricketts Weaver. She is survived by a brother Monte (Bettye) Weaver, Memphis, TN, a daughter Jane (Terry) Stockwell, Jackson, TN, a son Joe (Lori Ann Cook) Neisler, Normal, IL, a grandson Dr. Robert (Brandi) Day, Casper, WY, a granddaughter Amanda (Matthew) Lewis, Collierville, TN, 3 great grandchildren, Artem, Colbey and Hannah and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and a sister, Princella Weaver Richards.

At the age of 17 Mrs. Neisler was offered the position of Principal at a Henderson County, TN elementary school. She graduated from Sardis High School and earned a B.A. Magna Cum Laude in 1946 at Lambuth College where she was a member of Sigma Kappa and Tau Delta Sororities. Frances married her high school sweetheart, Romie Wilson Neisler, on December 22, 1945. She was an English instructor at the University of Tennessee-Martin in 1946 and earned an M.A. at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in 1948. Mrs. Neisler taught English literature in Tennessee for 37 years at Carter High School in Knox County, Beech Bluff High School, Jackson City Schools and Medina High School and finished her career teaching 27 years at her beloved South Side High School, Jackson, TN. She was a Faculty Advisor for the South Side Future Teachers of America and taught 24 years in Room 18. She was a member of Omicron Phi Tau, the American Association of University Women, Delta Kappa Gamma, Jackson Women’s Club, Church Women United, Parent Teacher Association, Who’s Who in American Education, Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, Who’s Who in International Education and was a Chautauqua Scholarship recipient. Former students will remember how Mrs. Neisler used costumes to enhance literature, helped students apply for college and financial aid and required students to memorize the Lord’s Prayer in Anglo-Saxon. Mrs. Neisler loved and wrote poetry. I Wonder If, a collection of her handwritten poetry is available in the South Side High School Library and at blurb.com.

Frances was a devoted member of Highland Heights Methodist Church and St. Andrew United Methodist Church, serving as President of the United Methodist Women and a Sunday school teacher and choir member for more than 44 years.

Pallbearers will be Terry Stockwell, Matthew Lewis, David Richards, Colbey Day, Roy Weaver, Mark Neisler, Ryan Neisler, Danny Jowers and Larry Hearn. Honorary Pallbearers will be Clyde Freeman, David Barker and Glynn Jones.

The family would like to thank the staff of Morningside of Jackson, TN, Bickford House of Bloomington, IL and Hospice Compassus for their love and care. Frances Neisler was a faithful, gentle, generous woman, who had a servant’s heart and was a lover of God, people, literature, the arts, flowers and beauty. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt and she was a mentor to her students. Memorials may be made to the Chande Medical Project at chandemedicalproject.org in support of the medical missionary work of Mrs. Neisler’s grandson Dr. Robert Day.
Arrington Funeral Directors
148 W. University Parkway
731-668-1111
www.arringtonfuneralgroup.com