Frances Arthur Cote

Frances Arthur Cote passed away Tuesday January 11, 2022 at the University of Missouri Medical Center in Columbia, MO, following nearly a year long battle with ovarian cancer.

Fran was born February 22, 1943 in Warrenville, South Carolina, the daughter of Chester O'Neil Arthur and Verna Janette Wooten Arthur.

She was united in marriage to Paul Cote' in 1980 and shortly after moved to Missouri. He entered into rest August 2, 1983.

Survivors are her son Jason Arthur Cote' of Kansas City, Missouri, one sister Eleanor Harkins of Warrenville, South Carolina, and one brother Tony Arthur of Aiken, South Carolina along with many nieces and nephews.

Fran was a substitute teacher, a college professor, an adolescent and family therapist, worked at a newspaper office, ran a humane society, and was a published author. Her book, Jason's Journey helped many navigate the grief of suicide. She was known for her love of animals and had a pet squirrel at her home that she hand fed daily. She did pet therapy at the Missouri Veterans Home for years and never charged for it. Fran operated a Doll Hospital at her home and was well known in publications for her great skill of restoring old and broken dolls. Fran was well educated with two Bachelor's degrees and a Masters Degree and prided herself on being a loving counselor. She loved to write stories and was an amazing artist. She will be greatly missed.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Paul T. Cote, siblings: Theodore Arthur, Katheryn A. Grice, Don Arthur, James O’Neil Arthur, and brother-in-law Emmett Harkins.

Fran Cote will lie in state Saturday January 15, 2022 from 6-8 p.m. at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Sunday January 16, 2022 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James with Terry and Myrna Geiler officiating. Pallbearers will be Jason Parsons, Jason DiCarlo, James Meyer, Amanda Meyer, Jessica Parsons and Tristan Moreland. Burial will be beside her husband at the St. James Cemetery. Memorial may be given to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary; cards are available at the Jones Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be entered at www.jonesfunerals.com

All arrangements are under the direction of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, MO.

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