Frances Virginia Chandler McAlpin, age 88, of Natchitoches, LA, passed away Thursday, July 22, 2010, at St. Frances Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria, LA. Arrangements are being handled by Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, LA where the family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm on Saturday, July 24, 2010 and at 1:00 Sunday at the St. Maurice United Methodist Church. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, July 25, 2010 at the St. Maurice United Methodist Church in St. Maurice, LA with Dr. Lawanda Smith-Mobley, Rev. Lloyd Whitman, and Ray Ford officiating. Burial will follow the service at the St. Maurice Cemetery.

Mrs. Frances was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. She lived a full life in which she served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, graduated from Louisiana Normal College, and had many other wondrous adventures. She was a extraordinary woman, and will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Powell McAlpin Sr.; her parents, William Henry Chandler, Sr. and Annie Wyatt Chandler; one brother, William Henry Chandler, Jr.; and one sister, Alma Little Swafford.

She is survived by her children, James Powell McAlpin, Jr. of Natchitoches, LA, David Chandler McAlpin of Natchitoches, LA, Alice McAlpin Bryant of Dry Prong, LA, and Martha McAlpin Owen of Lufkin, TX; her grandchildren, Emily Frances Crum, John Powell McAlpin, Charles Patrick McAlpin, Jeff David Wyatt McAlpin, Joseph Adam McAlpin, James Melvin McAlpin, Christa Leeann McAlpin, Caitlin Denise McAlpin, Jacob Daniel McAlpin, Jessica Elizabeth McAlpin, and Jeff Owen; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.