Frances Collins Hunter

Frances Collins Hunter, age 91, passed away peacefully in Cookeville, TN, on August 19, 2026, surrounded by family.

Born September 14, 1934, in Marshall County, TN, Frances was a 1952 graduate of Goodlettsville High School, serving as senior class secretary. From 1962 to 1999, Frances worked for Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority, retiring as Director of Maintenance and Service Parts. She returned to work part-time as Director of Special Projects and Grants from 2003 to 2010 and 2010 to 2021. Her knowledge and experience with public transportation procurement and grant management led to appointment as an instructor for the U.S. Department of Transportation Volpe Center and Northeastern University. She was also an active member of the American Public Transportation Association and the Tennessee Public Transportation Association.

Frances will be remembered for her strong faith in God, demonstrated by the way she lived, and for her love and support of family, friends, and co-workers. Frances was known as a considerate listener, wise advisor, impeccable homemaker, and excellent organizer and hostess. Her greatest joys were her husband, son, grandchildren, great-grandchild, nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Frances was preceded in death by her loving husband of 59 years, H.K. "Buddy" Hunter, Jr.; parents, Robert and Esther Collins; sister, Virginia Dodson; brother, Bobby Collins; brother- and sister-in-law, Paul and Ruth Hunter; sister-in-law, Myra Hunt Hunter; and daughter-in-law, Martha Anne Gaines Hunter.

She is survived by her son, Kenneth Hunter, Sr. (Jessica Oswalt); grandchildren, Kenneth Hunter, Jr. (Amanda), Martha Frances Hunter (Jimmy Dombrosky), and Rachel Hunter; great-granddaughter, Rebekah Hunter; brother, David Collins; sisters-in-law, Beverly Collins and Nancy Kirby; nieces, Michelle Larsen (Dan), Pam Stephens (Gary), Lesley Dunn (Jesse), Amanda Collins, Jennifer Collins, Terri Davis, and Paula Raper (Stephen); nephew, Mark Dodson (Missy); great-niece, Marlee Donoho (Austin); great-nephews, Samuel Collins and Jackson Collins; and a multitude of friends.

A celebration of Frances’ life will be held Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Lawrence Funeral Home, 203 S. Horton Pkwy, Chapel Hill, TN. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., and the service will begin at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Hopper Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Frances’ memory may be made to Cookeville First United Methodist Church Servant Ministries or a charity of your choice.

LAWRENCE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATION SERVICES, 203 South Horton Pkwy, Chapel Hill, TN, (931) 364-2233, is in charge of arrangements.