Frances Carolyn Seay

Frances Carolyn Seay, 86, of Rector, passed away on March 5, 2026, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born on June 30, 1939, in Holcomb, Missouri, she graduated from Holcomb High School in 1957. In 1964, she married Reuben Seay and moved to Rector, where she made her home for the rest of her life.

Carolyn was a devoted homemaker who also worked as a bank teller in Kennett, Missouri. For forty years she served as custodian of Rector First Baptist Church, where she was a lifelong member. She gave generously of her time and talents as church hostess, Sunday School teacher, choir member, WMU participant, and children’s choir leader. She found her deepest joy in her family, warmly welcoming her children’s friends into her home and treating them as her own. Known affectionately as a “band grandparent,” she earned the title of “Grandmother” from many of her grandchildren’s friends as well.

She is survived by her children, Ellen Seay Meadows of Piggott and John and Angela Seay of Huntington; an adopted daughter, Joan Mason Jeffery of Brookland; her grandchildren and their spouses, Nathan and Bertha Seay, Morgan and Chris Vermillion, and Aaron and Bri Meadows; three great-grandchildren, Aiden, Luke, and Alice Seay; three step-grandchildren, Lance, Matthew, and Ashley Fry, and their families; her brother and sister-in-law, Terry and Mary Rollins; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Reuben Seay; her parents, Willis and Ruth Rollins; and her brothers, Willis James Rollins Jr., Paul Rollins, and Jimmy Ray Rollins.

Carolyn loved spending time with her church family and neighbors, who became like family to her. She enjoyed reading, music, crossword puzzles, and playing dominoes with friends. She was widely known for her exceptional baking, especially her millionaire candy, apricot fried pies, chocolate rolls, and a variety of beloved pies.