Frances Evelyn Pouns Stoner

Frances Evelyn Pouns Stoner, Mother, Oak Ridge Pioneer, Microbiologist, and Joyful Reconciler

Frances Evelyn Pouns died peacefully on Friday, August 16, 2019, surrounded by her four daughters. Fran was born in Dallas, Texas, on July 25, 1922, the great granddaughter of pioneers who settled in Texas in the early nineteenth century. Her parents, Lyle Bertie Pouns and Emily Hunt Pouns, migrated to Dallas, where they scrambled to make a living in their urban home during the Great Depression. Frances had to pioneer her own way in school to win scholarships and attend college. She edited her high school newspaper at Sunset High School and went to Southern Methodist University on a full scholarship, graduating with two majors in geology and journalism.

Before her senior year at SMU, Fran attended summer school at Pennsylvania State University to study anthracite coal formations. She met Henry Stoner, and they married in 1942.

Fran and Hank Stoner were among the pioneers who settled in a primitive army town in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, a place she helped build into a small city.

Like many women who came to Oak Ridge during the Manhattan project years, Fran was first of all a wife and mother. Her own career would have to wait until her four girls were about to graduate high school and college. Her message to her daughters was that they could be whatever they wanted to be.

In the late 1960s Fran followed her own advice and returned to the university, earning a master’s degree in microbiology at the University of Tennessee in 1974. Science excited her imagination, so she began a successful career supervising the teaching laboratories for the microbiology department until her retirement in 1985. She enjoyed working alongside graduate students the age of her children.

Fran was active in the United Church of Oak Ridge for many years, and when she and Hank transferred to the United Methodist Church, she co-founded the Joyful Reconcilers, an interracial group seeking racial harmony. Having witnessed racism in Dallas and Tennessee, she wanted to reverse hostility by nurturing personal, meaningful relationships, and Christian ethics. She found kindness and mutual understanding among her dear friends.

Fran has been a loyal supporter of the Tennessee Lady Vols since before they were a dominant athletic power. Fran enjoyed seeing women surpass expectations and excel in their endeavors.

In 2006, Fran and Hank moved to the Shannondale Retirement Center in Maryville, Tennessee, and enjoyed six years together until Hank’s passing in 2012. Her Maryville friends loved her gracious smile and quick wit. Diane Darnell, her beloved caregiver and best friend, was a constant companion.

The family would like to express their love and gratitude to the staff at Shannondale for their support and care for Fran. In addition, thanks to First Light Caregivers who provided love and safekeeping well beyond what was required.

Fran is survived by her four daughters and their spouses: Lynn Stoner, Janet Stoner and Alicia Crew, Shirley Stoner and Dean Honeycutt, Karen Minser and Billy Minser. Fran’s grandchildren: Bethany Love (Chad), Kate Briskie (Matt), Brian Jessee (Erin), Brett Honeycutt (Corrina), Allyson Miller (Israel), and great grandchildren Grayson Love, Spencer Love, Elijah Briskie, Levi Briskie, Brynn Jessee, Shea Jessee, Jed Honeycutt, and Aydan Miller.

The family plans a Celebration of Life memorial service on September 28, 2019, at 10:00 am, Fairview Methodist Church, Maryville, Tennessee

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:
American Heart Association, 4708 Papermill Dr. NW, Knoxville, TN. 37909,
The Pat Summitt Foundation, 520 W. Summitt Hill Drive SW, Suite 1101, Knoxville, TN 37902.

McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home 865-982-6812