Notorious card shark, drum tech, road warrior, and semi-professional comedian Mary Frances Campbell Hancock, left town for her last journey on Saturday, August 10, 2024. She spent her final day surrounded by her children and grandchildren as they reminisced, laughed, and wept. She was the center of attention, as was her wont.
Mary Frances was born on July 17, 1935, to Melvin and Arlene (Yancey) Campbell in the Frogpond (yes…Frogpond) community, Killen, Alabama. In 1955 at the age of 19 she met the love of her life Ben Hancock at a party in Florence. She realized quickly that, though he wasn’t the best-looking guy in the room, he was going places, and she wanted to go with him. After their wedding they moved to Niagara Falls, New York where three children were born in quick succession. Over the years they lived in Columbia, Indianapolis, Niagara Falls (where another child came along…it’s something in the water), Dover, and Philadelphia. They also traveled to places as far flung as Egypt, England, and Belgium. She never lost her sense of wonder at the places life had given a little old country girl a chance to visit.
After Ben’s retirement they settled in Columbia, Tennessee where she became heavily involved with the West Seventh Street church of Christ, local bridge clubs, and a gang of rowdy geriatric ladies known as the Elite Eleven. She and Ben spent three months a year in Clearwater Florida at Phillies spring training where she held court every evening at the Five Palms Motel pool. When she returned to Columbia, her epic tan would be much remarked upon. She was also known for her smile, quick wit, generosity, flawless nails, and absolute unwillingness to let anyone else drive. In her final months she lived at The Bridge assisted living facility and the family wants to thank the staff there for the love and excellent care they gave her.
Mary Frances was preceded in death by Benjamin Wesley Hancock, her husband of 62 years as well as her brothers Jim and Johnny Campbell. She is survived by her four children: David Hancock of Philadelphia; Lisa (Jim) Selbe of Columbia; Lora (Bob) Baulsir of Pensacola; and Derek (Leslie) Hancock of Pensacola. Beloved grandchildren Wes (Rachel) Selbe; Ben (Emily) Selbe; Allison (Len) Payne; Seth (Carolynn) Hunter; Page (Dani) Spinoso; Luca (Grace) Spinoso; and great grandchildren Trip, Emery, Annalee, Liam, and Holden. Brother David (Wynell) Campbell and Sister-in-law Martha Cooper. She also treasured her relationship with special cousins Karen Parker and Connie Eldridge and her dear friends Dee Gear, Lottie Umstead, and Carnice White.
Visitation will be held at Oakes and Nichols Funeral Home Wednesday, August 14 from 4-8 and Thursday August 15 at 11 with a memorial service to follow at noon. Her cremains will be interred in a private ceremony at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery in the Frogpond community. Her journey took her all around the world but in the end, she will return to rest next to her beloved husband, among the family that made her who she was, in the community that she loved.
