Albina (Bea) Fratesi France

ALBINA FRATESI FRANCE died in Little Rock on Sept. 16, 2011. She lived her last years in the homes of her sons and their families who deeply loved her. Known as Bena, Bea and Nonie to family and friends, she was born in Dunleith, Miss., on April 14, 1920. She was a 1938 graduate of Marion, Ark., high school, lettered four years for Coach Polk's girls' basketball team and was offered an academic scholarship to college. She declined the offer, not wanting to leave her mother and father for college. Bea was the last surviving child of Louis and Nazarena Reginelli Fratesi. She was preceded in death by her husband Reno, who was a farmer in Crittenden and St. Francis counties. She was also predeceased by sisters Mary Zepponi, Letitia Martine, and brothers Joe and Basilio Fratesi. Deceased in early childhood were sister Edina and brother Vicenzo and great grandchild Harrison Wood. She is survived by sons Edward (wife Sharon) of Russellville, Ark., John (Elizabeth) of Clearwater, Fla., Jerry (Sara) of Shreveport, La., Dr. Gene (Margie) of Little Rock and James of Little Rock. She is also survived by 19 grandchildren: Carter, Carmel, Louis, Gina Wood, Clare, Brian, Erica France Braswell (Leah Braswell), Brooke (Trevor Edwards), Meg, Michael (Amber), John, Ben, Elizabeth (Brian McCue), Paul Stapleton (Melanie), Vincent (Monica), Jennifer (Jay Carman), Natalie, Erin, and Caroline. She also leaves 12 great grandchildren who were the third generation to rest in her arms. They are Reno, Michael, Alexandra, Ashlyn and Sophia France, Hunter, Lindsey, Hudson and Lauren Frances Wood, Ross and Reid Braswell, and Sadie Edwards. Loved by all who knew her, she leaves additional family members Doodie France, Velma Fratesi and Cathy Miller France. Nieces and nephews of the France, Fratesi, Ciarloni, and Martine families, along with numerous godchildren were also important to her. She fondly recalled their birthdays well into later life, and all will feel her intercession in heaven. A seemingly quiet prayerful life ends on earth, assuredly amid trumpet blasts for her eternal reward. Her life was devoted to her family and to service to our Creator and the Lord Jesus, and the Blessed Virgin Mary. She was a dedicated member of St. Francis of Assisi in Forrest City and St. Michael's in West Memphis. In her early retirement years, she particularly assisted the parish and clergy of St. Michael's. This gentle servant brought roses from her garden to place at Mary's statue in St. Michael's before daily mass and ironed altar linens for the church for nearly 30 years. For many years at St. Michael's, drawing upon her Italian heritage and cooking skills, she devoted herself, with friends in the parish, to ravioli preparation for yearly fundraisers. In the earlier years under Father McCormack at St. Michael's, she worked with Reno who chaired the fundraising in the 1950s for the new St. Michael's church. Gratitude is expressed to Little Rock caregivers, Sandy Johnson, Shirley Watkins, JoAnn Burks, and Jan Smith, who lovingly provided care during her final months. Memorials may be made to St. Michael's Catholic Church, 411 N. Missouri St., West Memphis, 72301, to Arkansas Hospice Foundation, 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock, 72116, or to a charity of your choice. A funeral mass will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in West Memphis, with interment to follow at Crittenden Memorial Park, Marion, Ark. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Visitation will be held Monday, Sept. 19, 2011, from 7–9 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m., at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home in West Memphis, Ark. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.