Mrs. Frances Hinson Norton Mills, age 79, passed away in Dothan, Alabama at Southeast Alabama Medical Center on March 26, 2018. Funeral services will be held on March 29, 2018, 11:00 a.m. at Skeen Funeral Home’s chapel in Troy, Alabama, followed by burial in the Old Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. Frances was born on April 14, 1938 in Birmingham, Alabama to the late Willie and Bryant Hinson. She graduated from Eufaula High School in 1956. After marrying Virgil Norton in 1956, they had four children and settled in Troy, Alabama. Frances was a reporter for the Troy Messenger and served as editor for the Brundidge Banner. One of her many accomplishments in the newspaper industry was an interview with Jonathon Harris, who starred in Lost in Space, which received national attention and was reprinted in multiple newspaper throughout the US. Frances later decided on a career change and returned to school to obtain her degree in nursing. She was licensed as a Registered Nurse and cared for many patients at Edge Regional Medical Center. She worked as a nurse until shortly after the death of her first husband. Frances enjoyed reading, painting, sculpting and pottery. She participated in many arts and social functions. Frances met J.C. Mills and later married him on November 3, 2001. Frances and J.C. lived a modest life together in the country where she continued her artwork. Frances is survived by her husband, John “J.C.” Mills, Troy, AL, her brothers William Bryant Hinson (Georgann) Groom, TX, Preston “Pete” Hinson (Connie), Foley, AL, and Richard Clark (Lisa), Johnson City, TN; her children, Veronica Pruitt (Gary) Troy, AL, Ret. Cpt. Virgil L. Norton, Jr. (Lisa), Eufaula, AL, Victor Keith Norton, Sr. (Betty) Troy, AL and Sonya Smothers (Stephen) Troy, AL; her 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Frances was preceded in death by mother Willie Pless Clarke, father William Bryant Hinson, her first husband, Virgil L. Norton, Sr. Serving as pallbearers will be Victor Norton, Justin Morris, Greg Bryan, Thomas Smothers, Matt Vaughn and Jason Pruitt. Memorials may be made to Old Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery c/o John Nunnelee, 5698 County Road 1101 Troy AL 36079.

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