Frances Laney Altizer

Frances Jane (Laney) Altizer returned home to Jesus peacefully at the age of 86 on October 17, 2024, at NHC of North Augusta, SC after a brief illness. Up until the end Frances maintained her kindness, grace, good nature, inner strength, love of family and friends, and was grateful for her long life full of wonderful and varied experiences. 

Frances was born to Levings and Jane (Cooper) Laney in 1938 in Birmingham, AL. She lived with her parents in Birmingham and later in Atlanta, GA before moving to Augusta, GA as a young teenager. Frances attended the University of Georgia in Athens where she met her love and future husband Tom Altizer. Shortly after their marriage in 1958, they moved to San Diego, CA, where Tom was a naval officer. They maintained a loving and supportive marriage of 57 years up until Tom's passing in 2015. Together they had three children, Mike (Nan) Altizer of Harpersville, AL, Karen (Collier) Johnson of Jacksonville, FL, and David Altizer, who passed away at the unfortunate age of 6 years. Frances, Tom, and family lived for a time in Springfield, MO, but joyfully moved back to the Augusta, GA area in 1970. In Augusta, they regularly engaged with their larger extended family which included her parents, and sister Joan (Charles) Piercy and her nephews Rod (Ashley) Kight and Ryan Kight. Frances was a cheerful supporter and teacher to her children and nephews. She really enjoyed being “Granny” to her two grandsons Benjamin (Jessica) Johnson and Willam Johnson, both of Atlanta, GA. Frances and Tom moved from Augusta to Toledo, Ohio briefly in the 1980’s, but quickly returned to Augusta as that was always their favorite location.

Frances had a strong love and dedication to her community at St. John United Methodist Church in Augusta. She served in various capacities at the church, including Chair of the Board of Trustees, Chair of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee, Sunday School Superintendent and Education Chair, and Worship Committee member. She worked as the secretary to the Pastor for a time after her children were grown and moved away. She loved visiting and talking with all of her friends at St. John and was often the last person to leave the building after Sunday services, to the frustration of Tom and her family!

Frances really enjoyed serving her community, especially University Hospital (now known as Piedmont) where she was a former president of the Women’s Board and Manager of the Hospital Gift Shop. She served as the Director of Volunteer Services at the Hospital for several years until she retired. She occasionally worked part time in the administration office at Westside High School, aggravating her children who attended!

Frances was blessed with an inner strength and faith that she used to remain cheerful and positive during challenging times in her adult life. Raising two young children after the death of their youngest son was difficult for both Frances and Tom, but they did it with grace and encouragement. Later in life, she was a cancer survivor and managed it with a humor that was amazing to all who knew and loved her! Throughout her life, she struggled with asthma, but never let it govern who she was or what she did. She continued to pursue one of her lifelong passions of travel with family and close friends. One famous time where she exhibited her accomplished organization skills was as trip director for family and friends on a summer trip to Tuscany.

Frances was preceded in death by her youngest son (David Thomas Altizer), husband of 57 years (John Thomas Altizer), father Levings W. Laney, and Mother Jane C. Laney.

A celebration of life for Frances will be conducted at St. John United Methodist Church in Augusta, GA on December 12, 2024, at 2:30PM. A visitation with family will precede at 1:30PM in the church sanctuary. She will be interred at Westover Memorial Park alongside Tom and David Altizer and her parents during a private family service.

Frances’ family owe a deep debt of gratitude to the Assisted Living Staff at St. John Towers, the nursing and physical therapy staff at NHC North Augusta, and Caris Healthcare for the wonderful care they gave to her in her later years and final days.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to either St. John UMC or to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation would be appreciated.