of Helena, AR
August 31, 1927 - December 31, 2021
Henrietta Frances Chu, 94, of Helena, Arkansas, passed away peacefully Friday, December 31, 2021, in Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House at St. Bernards in Jonesboro, Arkansas. She was born August 31, 1927, in Memphis Tennessee. Frances was the daughter of My Gum and Chu See Lum.
Frances was a graduate of Helena High School in 1945 and attended Memphis State University. She and her husband were merchants in Helena, Arkansas, and owned Buck's Drive-In and Quality Market until their retirement. Frances was a member of First Baptist Church in Helena.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Buck Fong Chu; brothers, Tuck, Sam, Willie, Eddie, and Oscar Young; sister, Mabel Chu; daughter-in-law, Bertha Chu; son-in-law, Macon Schwantz and grandson, Jack Schwantz.
Survivors include her daughter; Sharon and husband, Dr. John Jiu of Jonesboro; sons, Dr. Charley Chu of Helena, Chris Chu and husband, Jeff Chase of Oxon Hill, Maryland; daughter, Sharee Schwantz of Azle, Texas; grandchildren, Dr. Mark Chu and wife Rachel of Bryant, Arkansas, Abby Jiu and husband, Jamey Sunshine of Falls Church, Virginia, Dr. Craig Chu and wife, Bethany of Shreveport, Louisiana, Collin and Seth Schwantz of Azle, Texas; great grandchildren, Grayson and Stella Chu, Cooper Sunshine, Violet and Ollie Chu; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at Maple Hill Cemetery in Helena at 1:00pm, Saturday, January 8, 2022.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to American Cancer Society or St. Jude Children's Hospital.
Arrangements are by Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home in Jonesboro.
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38 Condolence(s)
Rick Long
Monday, January 10, 2022
Charley and Sharon, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother, she was such a nice lady. I can still remember walking into your store and seeing her, she always had a smile on her face. From the time we were in elementary school through our high school days, Mrs. Francis was always so friendly and kind to everyone. My thoughts and prayers are with both of you and your families.
Alice L Hurd
Saturday, January 8, 2022
I’m sorry for your loss and praying for your family.
Brian Miller
Saturday, January 8, 2022
My deepest sympathy goes to the family of Ms. Francis. She and Mr. Chu were staples of our community and the nicest people anyone will ever meet. I will miss her smiling face and kind words. Rest In Piece Ms. Francis.
Chris and Selena Bloodworth
Saturday, January 8, 2022
Sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Chris and Selena
Amy Schwantz
Saturday, January 8, 2022
Granny Chu was such a beautiful, sweet, kindhearted person! We always enjoyed our times together and our little road trips!! Love you granny , Prayers for the Chu family ðŸ™
Robert wahls
Friday, January 7, 2022
My deepest condolences to the entire family they both Mrs Francis and Mr buckey help in raising me and making me the man I am today..beautiful loving people 💔
Frank B. Klimek
Friday, January 7, 2022
You will be greatly missed. Thank you for your contribution to the culture in Helena and for contributing children, grand children that have been very successful and contributed greatly to our society.
I have very fond memories of you and Bucky as I grew up. Thank you for contributing to my life in a great way.
Love and peace go with you and your great family.
Rest In Peace. 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
Rick Jones
Thursday, January 6, 2022
Shocked and saddened to hear of Ms Frances' passing. I remember her as a fun and lively lady as I grew up. She was so proud (rightfully) of all her family. What a good heart.
Earliest memory: she was a substitute teacher for my third grade class. Calling out spelling words, she was twice asked to repeat "kite". Frustrated, she said kite, K I T E, kite. Of course the class was ROTFL.
She should be long remembered.
Sherry Dawn Cleveland-Richardson
Thursday, January 6, 2022
To Charly, Sharon, Chris, Sharee and the entire family. My condolences to you all. Mrs. Francis was a loving person. She took care of many people. She will truly be missed. Catholic Hollow Legend!!!
Bill and Sheila McCartney
Thursday, January 6, 2022
Sharon and Charlie, so sorry for the loss of your mother.
Carla long
Thursday, January 6, 2022
Sharon, So very sorry to hear of your moms passing. My prayers for you and your family at the difficult time
Andrew Miles
Thursday, January 6, 2022
Prayers and condolences to the family. I have so many fond memories of Mrs. Frances and family.
Margie Hornor
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
I’m so sorry to hear about Ms Frances. She was one of those moms who all the kids loved. Growing up, she was so kind to us & loved everyone! My deepest sympathy to Sharon, Charley & all of her wonderful family. I know she was so proud of you all! Sending you lots of love today & in the days ahead. â¤ï¸
John Farr
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
I'm sad and missing talking and the text message we shared could not ask for a better neighbor Rosie, Khloe and I love her so much she talks about her kids how good they were to her. I will never forget her
Mimi Boyle Smith
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
Sharon and family,
I was sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. She was a wonderful lady. May you find comfort in God's love.
Mabel Wagner
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mrs. Frances. She was an amazing lady who was filled with so much love and kindness. She will be dearly missed by those who knew and loved her.
Sending our deepest sympathy and prayers,
Mick and Mabel Wagner
Linda Jane McIntosh
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
So very sorry to hear about your Mom. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time. Sending my love, Linda Jane ♥ï¸
Lewis Ben Lau
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
So sorry for the loss of your wonderful, and kindhearted mother and grandmother. Frances reached out to me and my father Kam Shun Lau who served with Frances's husband Buck F. Chu during World War II in a Chinese American 1545th Ordnance and Maintenance Company and became best friends. After the war Buck helped my father start his laundry business with a loan and exchanged Christmas cards every year.
In the early 2000's after Buck passed, Frances while visiting her sister Mabel in New Jersey reached out to my father and me and we met for the first time over dinner. Ever since we have been calling every yearly holiday to wish each other well. I always enjoyed hearing her strong and kind voice each time.
My father passed in 2008 and Frances and I still kept in touch each holiday. In November 2017, Frances's children celebrated her 90th birthday and I was invited to attend and was honored to sit with her at her immediate family table. It was a pleasure meet her whole family and to see how her children, grandchildren and relatives treasured and respected her. Frances wasn't afraid to let loose and have fun with the grandchildren.
I am fortunate to have gotten to know Frances and have fond memories of her.
Sandra Brookreson
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
Sharon, I really am so sorry to hear about your mom. She was a sweet and beautiful woman who loved you and the rest of your family so much. I remember her being so vivacious with that beautiful smile. Sending you love and hugs dear friend and to the rest of the family. Love you
Chris and Susan Knops
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
Our loving condolences to the entire family of sweet Ms. Frances... Her gentle soul always brings a smile to our hearts!... She will be loved beyond the bounds time!
Sincerely,
The Knops family
Mary Jane Barringer
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
Love and prayers to you,my friend . And your precious family 💕
Evelyn Thomas
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
Sending my deepest condolences and prayers for Charly, Sharon, Chris and Sharee and family. Thanks for sharing your parents with me and my siblings. Mrs. Frances had such a great love for us and she and my mother were the best of friends. I remember how she comforted my mother during the time my brother Quinn passed away. Rest well sweet lady!!!
Sending Love from Johnny and Jerry Walker, Evelyn Thomas
Mike Ellenburg
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
So sorry to hear about Mrs Francis.
Valerie Bobo
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
My deepest condolences to the entire family! Your families store was a God sent to the Helena area! May God bless each of you and give you peace when you think about the legacy that your parents left behind!
Dennis and Pat Delk
Monday, January 3, 2022
We are so sorry for your great loss. Many prayers for each and everyone of you. God bless.
Kenneth Yancey
Monday, January 3, 2022
Frances was a special person and a good friend of mine. I first met her whenI began working for the Helena post office. I was surprised she knew my family, as she had been in high school with older sister. Francis was so helpful to me in my mail delivery a wonderful human being. heaven has gained another angel. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Bobby Nicholls
Monday, January 3, 2022
Sharron and Charley,
So sorry to hear about your mom, a great lady, always took care of us when we were growing up. My prayers with your families.
Bobby Nicholls
Carrie Maxey-Bobo
Monday, January 3, 2022
To the family of Mrs. Francis thank you for allowing her to be such a big part of so many young Black children lives who attended South Side School in Catholic Hollow. She helped so many in her own way. We thank God for allowing her to pass our way.
Gayle Weaver Gatlin
Monday, January 3, 2022
So sorry for your loss .such a sweet lady
Sharon Patton
Monday, January 3, 2022
Praying
Missy Ishmael
Monday, January 3, 2022
To the Chu family,
I can never remember not knowing Miss Frances. What a precious soul she was. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
J.B. Jones
Monday, January 3, 2022
I'm so sorry for your loss, Doc.
Becky Weaver
Monday, January 3, 2022
Sorry for your family’s loss. Mrs. Francis was a friend of my Mom. She was a sweet lady who always had a smile. Prayers.
Kattie Hill Jordan
Sunday, January 2, 2022
To the Family, you are all in my prayers. I have known Ms Francis all my life. I played with moey as a child and Ms Francis was always a kind hearted person. Praying for strength for the family.
Jean Clark
Sunday, January 2, 2022
So many fond memories of Mrs. Francis!
We had some good times!
She always had a smile and kind heart.
Prayers for family and friends. 💙ðŸ™ðŸ»
Lona Bryant
Sunday, January 2, 2022
My deepest condolences to the family, Ms Frances was one of a kind, true to her word, I loved and thought the world of her.
George Chu you
Sunday, January 2, 2022
My prayers to the family!
susan gatlin
Sunday, January 2, 2022
So very sorry to learn of her passing. Prayers for comfort and peace
Susan N Gatlin
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