Frances Marie Blissett

Frances Marie Watkins Blissett was born on January 24, 1936 to the late Minister Prentice and Beatrice Watkins, as one of six children in Jackson, Tennessee.  At an early age, Frances accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord.  She received the baptism of the Holy Ghost at Whitehall Pentecostal Apostolic Church of God now located in Jackson, TN.  She was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Rev. E. L. Blissett in October of 1955 in Corinth, Mississippi.  Frances gained 12 children through her marriage to Rev. Blissett and birthed 11 children of her own.

During the early 1960’s, Frances and Rev. Blissett began evangelizing in several counties in Southeast Missouri.  Under the leading of the Holy Spirit, they built Blissett Temple True Church of God in Oran, Missouri (now known as Divine Temple).  As the First Lady, she was known as “Mother Frances” to her church family.  She was a devout, virtuous, woman of God who loved to sing congregational songs and hymns.   Her songs and testimonies during church service often reflected the vibrant relationship she had with her Lord.   Frances was passionate about prayer, reading scriptures aloud for her husband’s sermons while faithfully serving along side of him until his death.  She continued a life in ministry serving in various areas including bible teaching, intercessory prayer, prayer hotline and altar evangelism.  Frances demonstrated a public life of faith and encouraged those she encountered to do the same.

Frances graduated from Denmark High School in Denmark, Tennessee in 1954 and was also educated at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She was trained and ordained at The Revival Center in Jackson, MO and also received theological education from Valor Christian College (formally known as World Harvest Bible College) in Columbus, Ohio.

Frances Blissett was a loving mother who was affectionately known by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as “Ma”.  She was employed by DAEOC and Cottonwood Residential Treatment Center.  She was co-owner of Beams of Heaven Funeral Homes in Sikeston and Poplar Bluff, MO and also a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant for many years.  Frances was loved by her community while serving as President of the NAACP organization, as well as Vice President of the Scott County Central School Board.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Rev. E. L. Blissett, brothers Prentice and Hershel Watkins and sister Gradia White, by her daughter Carolyn Blissett Hunt, stepson Johnnie Blissett, stepdaughters Hadie Blissett, Gladys Blissett, Rosie Lovett, Ethel Alexander, Annie Rushton and Equilla Cook.  She leaves to cherish her memories, her brother Terry Watkins and sister Lois Watkins of Jackson, TN;  her children Faye Allen and David (Shirley) Blissett of Charleston, SC, Deborah (Leon) Arnold of Florissant, MO, Selista (Charles) Dorsey of Harker Heights, TX, Brenda (Willie) Fort of Pickerington, OH, Brenetta (Joseph) White of Virginia Beach, VA, William Blissett, and Renee (Akeem) Brathwaite of Killeen, TX, Stanley (Padrica) Blissett of Virginia Beach, VA, Terry (Leslie) Blissett of Ponchatoula, LA, her stepdaughters, Dorothy Watson of Peoria, Illinois, Alice Fowler and Shirley (Edward) Moon of Sikeston, MO and her step sons Eddie Blissett and Ted (Linda) Blissett of Sikeston, MO and a host of grandchildren; great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and devoted friends.

Friends may call Friday, September 13, 2019 at Divine Temple Church of God in Oran, Missouri from 6:00 P. M. – 8:00 P M.  Funeral services will be Saturday, September 14,  2019 at 11:00 A. M. at the church with Elder David Blissett officiating. Interment will follow in Divine Temple Memorial Gardens in Oran, Missouri with the Williams Funeral Home of Sikeston, Missouri in charge of arrangements.