Obituary of Frances (Latimer) Montgomery

Frances Butler Latimer Montgomery was born on April 15, 1924 to Millard Earl Latimer and Lydia (Butler) Latimer in Rochester, New York. Her Parents founded the Latimer Funeral Home in 1922, which is the oldest Black-owned business still in existence in Rochester. Frances attended #3 Elementary School and Madison High School. While in high school she began her love affair with the French language. She was so gifted at French that she was invited to join the French Honor Society. Frances attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, graduating in 1946 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music. She later earned a Master of Science degree from State University of New York at Brockport. She was so gifted at music and played both the piano and organ, which she played at Memorial AME Zion Church. Some say that to hear her play Debussy's Clair de Lune on the piano was magical. A Couple years after graduating from Fisk, she met and married George Smith of Columbia, South Carolina. From this relationship came her one and only child, Linda Ann Smith. Frances L. Montgomery made her transition on January 15, 2012 at home surrounded by her family. She is survived her daughter Linda Smith, EdD, grandson Taylor Humphries, granddaughter Leigh J. Gaston, sister Betty Coles of Galveston, Texas, Sister-in-law Monique Latimer of Rochester, New York, long-time companion, John T. Johnson, a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, and host of dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Millard E. Latimer, Jr. of Rochester, New York