Frances Sarah Miles

Frances Sarah Miles (White) was born on February 27, 1935, in Washington, DC, to the late Nathaniel White and Cecelia Lancaster. Born the ninth child of fourteen, Frances lived a very humbling childhood, close-knit with each of her three brothers and eleven sisters. However, she and her sister, Pongee, were like “two peas in a pod” …whenever and wherever you saw one, you would see the other. She remained close to her siblings while enjoying the telephone conversations and cherishing the times when they were together. Frances gave her life to Christ at an early age and remained faithful in her spiritual journey and relationship with God. She was a longstanding and faithful member at First Baptist Church of Fairmount Heights in Fairmount Heights, Maryland.

Frances attended DC Public Schools throughout high school and, as an adult, was employed from 1968 to 1995 as a Machine Operator with the United States Government Printing Office (GPO). Her work began at GPO headquarters located on “H” Street, NW, in Washington, DC. Later, she transferred to the GPO Laurel, Maryland, facility where she retired after 27 years of dedicated civil service.  She was an outstanding employee, having repeatedly received high marks for her performance, with a near impeccable attendance record and strong work ethic. This trait of “dedicated hard work” was instilled in each of her children who watched her as a single parent provide for her family. 

Frances loved to sing, dance, and laugh. Singing and dancing came naturally to her growing up with her siblings and became the norm for her children who sang and danced with her. She had “moves” too that only the courageous would try to keep up with (yet very few could). And if you blinked too long, you would miss it! Often on the dance floor, she was matched by her oldest son, Ric. Even to watch their feet, you could never duplicate their moves. She had a beautiful soprano voice and was a member of the GPO Gospel Choir.  She was also a member of the “JC” Specials, Christian Fellowship, and Senior Choirs at First Baptist Church of Fairmount Heights, as well as a member of its Hospitality Committee and Flower Club.   Pecan Fran, Frem, DeeDee and Ma is what she was affectionately called by her family. Frances frequently opened her heart and her home to support family members and others when in need.

She leaves to cherish the memories: her only living brother, Robert White (Sandra); sisters, Bernice Pitts, Harriett Hart, Juanita (Pongee) Dickens, Berleen Reynolds, and Gilda McGruder; her six (6) children: Allen Ricardo Williams, Deborah Ann Williams Etheridge, Timothy Andrew Williams, Sr., Pamela Denice Brown (Ellis), Tygressa Kim Jones (John), Allisin Dionne Parker (Leonard), who blessed her with seventeen (17) beautiful grandchildren: Arketa Williams, Allen Williams, Ricardo Williams, Gregory McConnell, Jerel McConnell, Seitu Kokayi, Khari Kokayi, Nicole Williams, Justine Williams, Aaron Williams, Timothy Williams, Jr., Ashley Williams, Lamar Brown, Kendra Brown Watts, Johna Jones, TaiReka Robinson and Leonard Parker, Jr.; twenty six (26) great grandchildren; four (4) “fur” grands, Simba Jean, ReignMan, Bella and Brooke; and a host of loving relatives and friends.

Frances loved her family, and her family loved her dearly.  Although we miss her terribly here on earth, our comfort lies in knowing that, if we live as she did, we will see her again.