Frances (Fran) E. Reiter passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side after a brief illness on August 29, 2020. Born in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1941.she and her family relocated to Pensacola Florida where she married her true love Donald G. Reiter, Sr., her husband and best friend of 61 years. As a young couple they moved to Dearborn Michigan and had three children and finally settling in Florida to raise their family.
Fran was a loving & devoted mother. She treasured her children and embraced every moment with them. Fran especially loved her role as Granny Fran to her grandchildren and great grandchildren and will be forever remembered by her family, nieces, nephews and extended family and dear friends.
She enjoyed cooking, sewing, boating, gardening and spending time with her family. She always made people around her laugh and made friends everywhere she went.
Fran was the founder and President of "Mission Support Our Soldiers", a 501 c (3) non-profit organization with the mission to support our military men and women. Her servant heart touched over 10,000 soldiers writing personal letters and sending loving care packages to our soldiers.
Better known as "Mama Fran" she served on the Board of Director for the 501c (3) non-profit organization "Ye Notorious Krewe of the Peg Leg Pirate, Inc" as Secretary for several years and also the membership chair. She was a major sponsor for many years for their annual fundraiser sporting clay tournament "Get on The Good Foot" helping to enrich the lives of amputees. Fran also loved making costumes "Garb" for the Pirates!
She was also active in the community supporting non profit Military organizations including the VFW Riverview Post 8108 and Ruskin Memorial VFW Post 6287. Her life was a living example of service above self!
Fran received several Presidential Volunteer Service Awards for her work with our Military and was awarded Peg Leg "Pirate of the Year 2015" as the first receipiant of this award for her volunteering to assist amputees and her countless volunteer hours. She truly loved the Krewe.She also received several volunteer recognition awards for her work with "Mission Support Our Soldiers" and "Soldier's Angel".
Fran worked as the Medical Administrator for Dr. Pavitar Cheema for 29 years and retired in January 2020. She was also the co-owner of Creative Celebrations, Etc. a party and event planning business with her daughter Denise in the Southshore community.
She is survived by her husband Donald G. Reiter, Sr., children Donna L. Reiter Ramsey (Mike) , Donny G. Reiter, Jr., Denise L. Reiter (Carl), grandchildren Christopher Ramsey (Mallory), Kaci Ramsey and great-grandchildren Ryleigh, Taylor, Noah Ramsey and Kayson Wagner, brother George Watson (Kathey).
Fran was preceded in death by her mother Ruth Watson, Brother Tommy Watson, and sister Jackie Watson Parks.
A Celebration of Life will be held at VFW Riverview Post 8108, located at 7504 Riverview Dr., Riverview on Sunday, October 4th at 3:00 pm. Social distancing and safety protocols will be in place.
There will be a Private family service at Bushnell National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to: Mission Support Our Soldiers 11548 Sun Road, Dade City, FL 33525. Condolences may be left on Fran's online guestbook at
https://www.zipperersfuneralhome.com/