Frances Ainsworth

Frances Nelms Ainsworth Brandon, MS Frances Nelms Ainsworth, 89, passed away Sunday, March 1, at Brandon Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Mrs. Ainsworth was born on November 22, 1925 in Eupora, Mississippi, to Harmon and Icy Dora Nelms. She was married 57 years to the late Thomas Dale Ainsworth, whom she clearly adored. They had five children, Glenn Ainsworth (Joyce) of Brandon, Jimmy Ainsworth of Brandon, deceased, Frank Ainsworth (Cathy) of Brandon, Mary Dale Mitchell (Greg) of Madison, and Steve Ainsworth (Lawana) of Brandon. She also had 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Ainsworth grew up in the Montevista community near Eupora. She attended Eupora High School, where she was the valedictorian. She had one younger sister, Floy Nelms, who preceded her in death. Mrs. Ainsworth was a homemaker for most of her life. Her oldest son, Glenn, said his most wonderful memory of our mother was her being at home and making us snacks at the end of the school day. She was a wonderful cook who rarely used recipes, had delicious cornbread with almost every meal, and fresh vegetables from the garden she and our daddy cultivated as long as they were physically able. Her passion was sewing, and every child benefited from her talent. She made jackets, beautiful Easter outfits, Mary Dale's wedding dress, and her own dresses for the weddings of her children. After raising her children, Mrs. Ainsworth worked as a secretary to Dr. Barbara Goff, psychiatrist, until her retirement. Mrs. Ainsworth's life revolved around church and family. She was a Sunday School teacher for 20 years at Flowood Baptist Church, and was also the Vacation Bible School director for several years. After moving to Brandon and joining Bethel Baptist Church, she again taught Sunday School as long as she could. She expressed in a note that Jesus was her refuge and strength after our father's death, the only time that she acknowledged his death, as Alzheimer's had robbed her of that memory. The family would like to express gratitude to Armeka Henderson, the nurses, and caregivers at Brandon Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their loving and compassionate care of our mother, whom they nicknamed "Princess". Visitation will be held at Ott and Lee Funeral Home in Brandon on Monday, March 2, from 5 to 8pm. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., on Tuesday, March 3, at Bethel Baptist Church with funeral services at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow next to her beloved husband, Dale, at Bethel church cemetery. Ott & Lee Funeral Home Brandon, MS 601-824-6018

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