Frances Davant

Fran Farrell Davant, beloved wife, mother, and friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Chappell Hill, Texas, on October 23, 2024, at the age of 91. Born in Minden, Louisiana, on September 25, 1933, Fran’s life was full of adventure, accomplishment and an enduring devotion to nature and community.

Fran was the daughter of Pauline Dickens Farrell and Charles Fernand Farrell, and younger sister of Charles Farrell, Jr. Her family moved to Houston during her youth, where she attended River Oaks Elementary and St. John’s School. Fran continued her studies at Gulf Park College for Women in Gulfport, Mississippi, later attending Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. At LSU, she flourished, making lifelong friends as a member of Chi Omega Sorority and earning campus-wide admiration as ROTC Sponsor, Homecoming Queen, Rodeo Queen, Engineering Queen, and Darling of LSU.

Graduating with a degree in Home Economics and a minor in French, Fran attended the American University in Paris, cultivating a love for the culture and language that would become a lifelong passion. Upon her return, she represented the United States as a docent at the 1958 World’s Fair in Brussels, where she met her first husband, Alexander Schiller. Together, they settled in Mexico, where they raised their three daughters.

After her first marriage, Fran returned to Houston, eventually reconnecting with a longtime friend, Robert Mathews Davant, Jr. Fran and Bob married in Austin, Texas, in 1985 and shared a loving marriage, moving to Chappell Hill in 1997.

An avid volunteer, Fran dedicated herself to Trees for Houston, the Chappell Hill Garden Club, the Chappell Hill Historical Society, and various tutoring programs in Brenham.

Fran is survived by her devoted husband Bob; her daughters Suzanne Niemann, Cecily Lynch (Michael), and Christine Grable (Lee); and her eight grandchildren: Ella Niemann, Jack Lynch, Elizabeth McGaritty, Colin Lynch, Robert Lynch, Peter Lynch, Will Grable, and Charlie Grable. She will be deeply missed but fondly remembered by all who knew her.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on November 16, 2024, at the Masonic Cemetery in Chappell Hill, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations in Fran’s memory may be made to the Texas Trees Foundation at www.texastrees.org

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979.836.3611 Memories may be shared at www.BrenhamMemorialChapel.com