Frances Todd HaslamFrances Todd Haslam, 91, of Stanwood, Wash., passed away surrounded by loving family in the early morning hours on Dec. 15, 2022.
Frances Mae Todd was born in Mississippi on Nov. 22, 1931. She was the only child of Fred Hampton Todd and Goldie Mae (née White) Todd.
Frances (known later in life as “Fran”) dedicated a life of service to the elementary school students she taught and to the Free Methodist Church, which she lovingly and skillfully served in various capacities during her adult life. She was known for her genteel sweetness, southern cooking and hosting skills, and an unexpectedly sly sense of humor – known for occasional “storytelling.” These were coupled with a strength of will that one doctor described to be “tough as nails.” She was a wonderfully warm, supportive, and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Frances grew up in Jackson, Miss., where she excelled in school. She graduated early from Central High School at 16 years of age and earned her degree from Belhaven College at age 20, in spring of 1952. The following fall she enrolled at Asbury Theological Seminary where she met the love of her life, Robert Bruce Haslam. They were wed on Aug. 2, 1953, which was the beginning of a 62-year romance.
After Bob graduated from seminary in 1954, he and Fran served two Free Methodist churches, where Bob pastored first in Dearborn and then in Bangor, Mich. While there, Fran was recruited to substitute teach in a local elementary school which introduced her to an almost 20-year career in childhood education. From 1960–1964 Fran and Bob served as Free Methodist missionaries to the Philippine Islands, playing critical roles in the establishment of Light and Life Bible College in Butuan City, Mindanao.
After returning to the U.S., Fran taught school full-time in Winona Lake, while Bob served as an executive in the World Missions Department of the Free Methodist Church. Frances taught kindergarten, third grade and reading in the Warsaw Community School System in several schools over the years, including Jefferson and Washington Elementary schools. During this time, she obtained a Master of Education degree from the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne. Her skillful, patient and empathetic presence positively impacted the lives of many children, some of whom remained in touch with her throughout her life.
For many summers during these years, Frances joined her husband as co-leader of Free Methodist World Missions tours in Central and Southern African countries, South America, and the Caribbean.
In 1982, Frances went to work for the Christian Education Department of the Free Methodist Church. And from 1988-97 she served as director of the Marston Memorial Historical Center of the Free Methodist Church of North America, including overseeing the move of the entire collection from Winona Lake to Indianapolis. She was lovingly dedicated to the preservation of Free Methodist heritage and history.
Fran’s was a life of devotion, as a gentle, kind, generous and thoughtful wife, mother, teacher, church member and friend. She was dedicated to serving others not out of obligation, but out of love.
Frances will be lovingly remembered by son, Daniel Haslam (Cynthia) of Everett, Wash.; daughter, Karis Haslam (Byron Merrick), of Baltimore, Md.; four grandchildren: Rev. David Haslam (Jessica), Marcus Haslam, Philip Merrick and Sheridan Merrick; and three great-grandsons: Micah, Rowan and Duke Haslam. Frances was preceded in death by her loving husband and life partner of 62 years, Rev. Robert Bruce Haslam, in 2015.
Frances will be laid to rest beside her mother at Abbey View Memorial Park/Evergreen Washelli in Brier, Wash., in a family ceremony on Dec. 28. Celebration of life service will be held on Thursday, Dec. 29 at 3 p.m. at the Warm Beach Senior Community Beachwood Lounge at 20420 Marine Drive, Stanwood, Wash.
Donations may be made in Fran’s memory to the Marston Memorial Historical Center at PO Box 51710 Indianapolis, IN 46251 or online at https://give.fmcusa.org/giveMarston.
