Francess Anne Haywood

Francess Annie (Anne) Bates McKinney Haywood age 92, of Monticello, returned to her heavenly home on Saturday, August 4, 2018 in Conway, Arkansas.

Francess Haywood is survived by her husband, Cecil Haywood; daughter, Agnes Mae McKinney, of Conway, Arkansas; her sisters, Rachel Anderson of Pine Bluff, AR, Macell Hoaney of Searcy, AR; her brother, John Bates, of Sulphur Rock, AR; her step children, Charles R. Haywood of Tulsa, OK, and Barbara Burney.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Allen L. McKinney; her parents, James Fancher and Dixie Mae Bates of Sulphur Rock, AR; her brothers, Allen Bates, Matthew Bates; and her sister, Eunner Finley.

Francess was born on April 5, 1926 in Algoa, MS, to parents James Fancher and Dixie Mae Bates. She graduated from Arkansas College (Lyon College) of Batesville, AR in 1944 with a degree in Bible and English. She earned a Master’s Degree in Early Education at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, AR.

Francess taught at Levy Elementary School in North Little Rock for thirteen years. She then applied for a position at the University of Arkansas at Monticello as an instructor in Elementary Education in May of 1967 and moved to Monticello in August of that year. She was accepted to the doctoral program at the University of Arkansas and earned a Doctorate in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Mathematics and Education. She taught many of the Early Education courses for elementary teachers and supervised student elementary teachers.

Francess loved teaching both elementary and college students. She always had time for all of her students.

Two years after Allen McKinney’s death, Francess married Dr. Cecil C. Haywood in 1971. They remained in Monticello.

Francess retired from the University of Arkansas at Monticello in 1990.

Francess was and always will be a wonderful, loving mother, daughter, wife, and sister.

Francess was deeply involved in school activities and her church, First Baptist Church of Monticello for the majority of her life. She enjoyed reading, playing cards with their close friends and cooking. Her family and friends will always remember her as a magnificent example of a Biblical woman.

A graveside service is scheduled for Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Mack’s Chapel Cemetery at Sulphur Rock to celebrate Francess’ life. The family wishes everyone who would like to celebreate Francess’ life to make a donation to the Doctor Francess A. Haywood Scholarship fund at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, AR.