In 1957, she accepted a teaching position and relocated to Pittsburg, California. On March 16, 1958, after just two short months of dating, Frances united in marriage with James Briggs of Pittsburg, California. The couple had seven children. She was employed as an educator with the Pittsburg Unified School District for almost 60 years, and voluntarily tutored and mentored students for several decades.

Frances was a member of Beta Pi Sigma and many service organizations, clubs.  Among her passions and talents were cooking, humor, walking, sewing, reading, entertaining and writing. As an entrepreneur, she taught private piano and voice lessons for almost two decades. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed her garden, travel, teaching, writing plays, choreographing live performances and spending time with family and friends. She adored people, and people adored her.

She is survived by one brother, James Brown, her children: Elizabeth Thomas (James), John Briggs, Fran Briggs, Veronika Briggs-Benion, James Briggs II, Beverly Brice (Darryl); fourteen grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her parents Herbert and Elizabeth Brown; her daughter, Mary Elizabeth Briggs; brothers Herbert Brown II, and Richard Brown; and her husband, James Briggs.

Funeral services Saturday, April, 8, 2017 at 11:00am at the Pittsburg Funeral Chapel. Burial following at Holy Cross Cemetery, Antioch