Frances Jennings

Frances Ditto Jennings was born in Fort Stockton, Texas on March 2, 1931, to Marjorie Clary Ditto and Frank Ditto. She was raised in Arlington, Texas by Frank’s sisters Tera Ditto and Lillie Ditto Bailey and her husband, Joe Bailey.

She attended South Side Elementary and graduated from Arlington High School in 1948, where her senior classmates voted her Most Beautiful. She often said that one of the highlights of her life was receiving the Distinguished Colt Alumni Award in 2013. After graduation, she received an associate’s degree from Arlington State College, now UTA, in 1950 and a B.S. in foods and nutrition from Texas State College, now Texas Woman’s University, in 1952. In 1953, she completed a hospital dietician internship at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. While working as a dietician at the hospital, she met Raymond Jennings. The couple married on May 7, 1955. During their time living in the Chicago area, they had three children: Ray Jr., Janet, and James.

Fran was involved with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, her church and her children’s schools. She began her career teaching third grade at their school. After they moved back to Arlington, Fran’s beloved hometown, the couple had their fourth child, Julie.

Fran’s lifelong passion of literacy and reading education drove her to earn a certification in elementary education at Texas Wesleyan University in 1968. She then joined Arlington ISD teaching first grade and special education for seven years, followed by several years as the Education Language Arts Consultant.

While working at AISD, she continued her education and earned an M.Ed. in education from Texas Woman’s University in 1974 and a Ph.D. in education from the University of North Texas in 1984. She served as the first president of the Arlington Reading Council from 1988-89.

Fran retired from the AISD after twenty-four years. She then worked for MacMillan Publishing Company and Scholastic Publishing as a subject matter expert in reading education. She was a professor and lecturer at UT Arlington and the University of North Texas, and she served as a facilitator for Region 11 where she observed new teachers.

Fran worked into her 80s until she could no longer drive. Exercise was always a part of Fran’s life. Swimming and then water aerobics became another passion. Ever the over achiever, she received a certification in aquatics from the Cooper Clinic in her 70’s, and she taught for several years at many fitness facilities.

Fran loved good music and wine, dancing, traveling and spending time at the beach. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend. In her last years, she lived at the Watercrest in Mansfield and the Waterford on Cooper. Fran was a member of St. Alban’s Anglican Church where she attended for many years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, father, and aunts, and survived by her children Ray Jennings Jr, (Linda), Janet Jennings, James Jennings, and Julie Kelton (Matt), and her grandchildren Connor Jennings, Ben Kelton, and Katie Kelton. Also survived by her cousins James Ditto and Elizabeth Bailey Banowsky.

Fran passed away on Christmas Day at the age of 91 surrounded by her family. In lieu of flowers, Fran requested that donations may be made to the Arlington ISD Education Foundation, Arlington High Alumni Association, or any charity of your choice.

A funeral mass for Frances will be held Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 12:00 PM at Saint Albans Anglican Church, 911 S. Davis Dr., Arlington, Texas. A visitation will occur on Friday January 6, from 6:00 pm t0 7:30 pm at Moore Funeral Home, 1219 N. Davis Dr., Arlington, Texas 76012.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.moore-funeralhome.com for the Jennings family.