Mary Frances Lasley

Mary Frances Lasley, age 87, a life-long resident of Blount County, passed away Thursday, September 30, 2021 at her home. Frances was a foster parent with Blount County Foster Parent Association and the Holston United Methodist Home for Children from 1965 until her retirement, during which time she kept over 200 children in her home. Countless knew her as Mamaw. Her passion was helping people, and she served in numerous roles. She conquered her fear of water by taking her first swim class as an adult, which lead to her volunteer work with the American Red Cross Water Safety Program, and her position on the board of directors. She served with the Contact Hotline, as a suicide prevention telephone counselor, and was a recipient of the Jefferson Award in 1985 for outstanding public service, She was a friend and confidant to many, loving all people equally. Frances was involved with her family as a frequent room mother at Alnwick Elementary, an occasional chaperone for Friendsville High School events, a mom to her children’s friends, and a refuge to her grandchildren. She was forgiving, kind, and viewed as the center of her family’s universe. All her siblings came to her as the family peacemaker when they could not communicate with one another. She had an unusual youthful-outlook, strength, and vitality throughout her life, never complaining or succumbing to a negative disposition. She was a member of the General William Lenoir Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. Frances was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister who is deeply missed by her family and friends. Frances was preceded in death by husband, James Edward Lasley; parents, John Roman and Hazel Maude (Shuler) Whitley; sisters, Nancy Joe Whitley, Ethel Louise Krick, Anna Elizabeth Allen, and Marjorie Lee Reagan. She is survived by husband, Bobby “Bob” Gene Pollard; daughters & sons-in-law, Susan Gail (Robert Stephen) Ford, Beth Anne (W. Reid) Williams, and Lisa Kaye (Kenneth William) Montgomery. Surviving grandchildren are Robert Jason Ford, Brian Whitley (Mindi) Ford, Warren Christopher Williams, Emmie Kathryn (Micah Zane) Seals, Jonathan Reid (Audrey Savannah) Williams, and Robert Grey (Erin Joy) Clevenger. Frances’ surviving great-grandchildren are Harrison “Harry” James Ford, Sally Jo Ford, Roman Zane Calvin Seals, Éowyn Grace Seals, Zora Evangeline Seals, Thaddeus Coulson Seals, Emory Arden Williams, Summer Wynn Williams, Ari DuQuette-Clevenger, and a 10 th expected March 2022. She is also survived by her brother, Frank Whitley, and others, including niece, Martha “Marty” Moses; dear friend, Mary Lawson; and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Blount County Foster Parent Association. Friends are invited to call-at-convenience at Smith Trinity Chapel, Monday, October 4, 1:00-5:00. The family will have a private graveside service at Grandview Mausoleum To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mary Frances Lasley please visit our Sympathy Store.