Frances Miller Cupp

Frances Miller Ripley Cupp, passed from this life on Sunday, January 20, 2008. She had been a patient at Wexford House since early January during a period of declining health.

She was born in Rogersville, TN. where she spent most of her early life and attended the public schools of that town. She later attended East Tennessee State Teachers College. She became a resident of Kingsport during the late '30s when her parents moved there. After her husband's untimely early death, she became a single working mother during an era when there were few. She was employed by Mason-Dixon Lines prior to teaching in the Kingsport Public Schools and later teaching in the Head Start Program, a position which she often recalled as the most satisfying portion of her professional life.

She was a member of First Broad Street United Methodist Church for over sixty years where she kept a kindergarten class for many years. She was a member of the Hammond Post, American Legion Auxiliary.

She was energetic and fun-loving, having played basketball in high school and was a band majorette in college. She loved little children and thought they were God's special gift of peace to a world often in turmoil. She also especially adored dogs, including rescued and homeless dogs as well as each one of the many dogs which were always part of her home life.

A direct descendent of several pioneer Tennessee families including the Miller, Chambers, Senter and Tidence Lane families, she was preceded in death by her husband James Harvey Cupp; her parents, William Cassidy and Margaret Irene Love Legg Ripley; her sister and companion, Anna Rachael Larmer and by her two brothers, William Cassidy Ripley, Jr. and Daniel Eastman Ripley.

She is survived by her devoted son, James William Randolph Cupp, and partner and family friend and care giver, Mark W. Kilgore, both of the home. Also, surviving are another dear sister, Helen Blanche Valdes and nieces, Edel Irene Helton and Kristen Quintana, all of Tazewell, TN., niece, Dr. Meg Ripley, Atlantic Beach, Fla.; sister-in-law and friend, Sue Ripley, Jacksonville, Fla., cousin Grace Legg, Rogersville, TN and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 24, 2008 at half-past one o'clock in the loggia leading to the Chapel at First Broad Street United Methodist Church. A celebration of her life will follow at 2:00 in the afternoon in the Chapel. The Reverend Clark Jenkins will officiate assisted by The Reverend Janet Manning.

A private graveside service will be conducted at East Lawn Memorial Park at a later date.

It was the wish of the departed that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions might be made to the Holston Methodist Home for Children in Greeneville, TN or to First Broad Street United Methodist Church's Friendship Diner.