- Date Of Birth: October 11, 1947
- Date Of Death: December 23, 2014
- State: Colorado
Frances Delois Howard-Harper was born on October 14, 1947 in Dublin, Georgia to her parents, Robert Lee Howard and Elizabeth Strawder-Howard. She was the third of eight children born to this union. The family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida in September 1957. Her mother taught her to sew at an early age, and this influenced the sense of style that she always bore. Fran attended local schools and graduated from Gibbs High School in 1965. After graduating from high school Fran began her professional life working at Bell-South Telephone, and Allstate Insurance companies. After being denied a promotion, Fran enrolled at the University of South Florida in Tampa, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. Fran was active in numerous university and Black Student Union activities, often serving as moderator or Mistress of Ceremonies. She was named to the “Who’s Who in U.S. Universities and Colleges” 1978 edition. After graduation, her professional career continued with positions at Florida Power Corporation, Schlitz Brewing Company, and Westinghouse Corporation. She and husband, Ronald, moved to Colorado in 1986 with a “5-year plan” to return to either Florida or other realms. Fran and Harp would tell you that they were now on their “6th five year plan”. She held positions with several Fortune 500 companies in Colorado and in California. She was always as the one to “dot all the I’s and cross all the T’s. After more than 10-years of working in California while maintaining residence in Colorado, Fran retired to come home to “Mr. Harper” and Stephen. Always one to be on the go, Fran was involved in several enterprises. She was especially motivated by the “Multi-Level Marketing” opportunities in which she participated. Fran also enjoyed Caribbean cruises, the carnival in St. Maarten, and traveling to see her people.
