Remembering Barbara Frank
To anyone who met her, Barbara Frank likely left an impression with her magnetic smile and boisterous laugh.
She spent the majority of her life in Middle Tennessee, but was originally born in Oregon and raised on a farm outside Seattle. She was the second of five children born to Lawrence and Violet Clowers Bailey, who farmed and owned three health food stores. This upbringing sparked a lifelong passion for healthy and holistic nutrition, as well as a fondness for plants and gardening.
Another lifelong passion started in the crib – her parents discovered that playing music could soothe her. She turned this love of music into a full vocal scholarship to Pepperdine University, where she minored in Interior Design. Barbara was the first woman in her family to graduate from college.
Following graduation, she moved to Chicago, blazing another trail as the first woman to sell cars at a major dealership. By focusing on the needs of women and families rather than men, she quickly became the top salesperson.
She moved to Nashville and began attending Belmont Church, where friends introduced her to a handsome Jewish boy named Myron. They married in the Spring of 1977 and spent a brief time in Texas, where they welcomed their bouncing baby boy Ben.
In 1980, they returned to Nashville for good and a few years later Barbara had their sweet baby girl, Annalise. She raised two creative, talented children, sharing her love of music by frequently listening to oldies stations with them, always telling them where she was when each song was popular.
She also shared her love of laughter and joking with her kids, which was likely a defense mechanism for her husband Myron’s terrible – but joyously told – jokes. Barbara and Myron were true examples of opposites attracting; he was often serious and analytical, balanced by her quick wit and infectious joy.
More than anything, she was a strong and steadfast believer who demonstrated God’s grace and love. She loved God and the community she and Myron found through that love, and aimed to be a blessing to those in their life.
She is survived by her son Ben Frank (Megan) of Atlanta, GA; daughter, Annalise Frank and beloved grandson, Oliver Frank of Brooklyn, NY; brother, Jerry Bailey of Cleveland, TN; and sister, Margaret Moon of Portland, OR.
Determined to the end, she saw her 80th birthday on this planet, then decided that was enough. She went to join her beloved husband on May 16, 2026.
A celebration of her life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, May 22, 2026, at His House Ministries in Summertown, TN.
