Frances "Fran" (Rives) Gardner

Frances “Fran” Rives Funston Gardner, age 83, of Sanford, passed away on Friday, July 25, 2025.

She was born in Chatham County to the late Thomas H. Rives and Sarah Mozelle Whitt Rives.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sons William ”Kent” Funston and Todd Funston and siblings Thomas H. Rives, Jr., Josephine Smith, Charles “Mini Buck” Rives and Elizabeth Koury.  Fran retired from Lee County where she worked in the Tax Administration office.  She enjoyed gardening, working in her yard and time spent with her family.

Fran is survived by her children Steve Funston of Stuart, Florida and Sharon Kemp of Franklinton; sister Ruth Orem of Sanford and brother Melvin Rives of Chatham County.

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