Frances Elizabeth Ditton was her name, but everyone knew her as Frankie. She entered the world on March 29, 1936, as the waters of the great flood on the Susquehanna receded. Frankie peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior on Oct. 4, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. She was the daughter of Charles A. Ditton and Lois (Cramer) Ditton Clark. While attending schools in Northumberland she distinguished herself as a fire twirling head majorette. In 1954 Frankie married the love of her life, Tom Jones. She was a Pineknotter. He was an Owl. They were married 54 years until Tom's passing in July of 2008.

Frankie and Tom raised four children, Cindy (Northumberland) Rod (Weikert), Todd (Fairfax, Va.), and Jennifer (Skaneateles, NY) in their beloved stone house in Oaklyn, a neighborhood just outside of Sunbury. Frankie is survived by all four children and three spouses, Cindy/Mike Fisher, Rod/Carol, and Todd/Jennifer survive.

Frankie had many jobs over the years but will likely be remembered as the co-owner of Central PA Big T (Tastee Freez /1970-1987) and later as the owner/broker of Apfelbaum Realty Inc. She was a familiar sight at the Island Park store in the 80s wearing her smock and directing employees. The smock was replaced with a business suit in the 2000s as the venue changed to her Market Street real estate office.

Always community minded, Frankie served on many boards including: United Way, American Red Cross, SRI (Sunbury Revitalization Inc), HARB (Historical Architectural Review Board) Soroptimist International (secretary), and Rotary International (secretary). There were many others, but the goal was improving the future of her community!

In their day, Tom and Frankie were avid Penn State fans. One season they took their motor home to all games, home and away. Frankie cherished her family and loved to entertain and prepare holiday meals and picnic dinners. Tom loved to eat and Frankie loved to cook. She never met a flower she didn't like. In spite of failing health she watered, weeded, deadheaded, fertilized, and planted in the flower beds of her second beloved stone house on Strawbridge Road, Northumberland. Bridge was her game. It was a lifelong pursuit that provided many cherished friendships.

Otterbein United Methodist Church, Sunbury, was where Frankie worshiped and served in many capacities from baking apple dumplings to administrative committees. She was honored by Otterbein as "woman of the year."

The fire she twirled in high school was perhaps symbolic of the torch she carried throughout her life. Frankie Jones was an American original... outspoken, hard working, independent, proud, loving, and God fearing. She was a loving and committed spouse, mother, grandmother, and business woman. She never backed away from a challenge. She was a good and faithful servant throughout her life.

Frankie is survived by 12 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Grandchildren and spouses are Truman Purdy and Denise Dellaverson, Selinsgrove, Adam and Laureen Purdy, Northumberland, (AJ and Owen), Sean Purdy, Northumberland, (Everett and Olivia), Kathryn and Will Bryant, Pottstown, (Lucas, Parker, Claira, Jonas), Jessica and Kyle Walters, Danville, (Sylvie and Sadie), Erin and Andy Rebuck, Selinsgrove, (Gavin, Carter, and Brooks), Jared and Brittany Jones, Middleburg, (Penelope and Emerson), Michael and Elizabeth Jones, Fairfax, Va., (Cole), Harrison Jones and Nora Surbey, Arlington, Va., Laura and Max Taber, Madison, Conn., (Samantha and Max), Tyler and Julia Savage, Ann Arbor, Mich. (Henry and Zoey), Trey and Melissa Savage/Medfield, Mass., (Keogh and Mckenzie); one faithful and loving sister, Joanne Bolig of Sunbury, and sister-in-law, Judit Ditton of Northumberland.

In addition to her parents, Frankie was preceded in death by a sister, Marion "Mickey" Waters; brother, Charles "Bud" Ditton, and sister, Sandy Stetler.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at Otterbein United Methodist Church, Fourth and Vine streets, Sunbury.

Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.

Flowers will be provided by the family.

Donations celebrating Frankie's life can be made to Hurricane Helene Relief or a charity of your choosing.

Special thanks to Geisinger Hospice and the caregivers of Nottingham Village.

Arrangements by the Joseph W. Epler Funeral Home, 210 King St., Northumberland.