Frances Pursley Hall Lewis

Frances Pursley Hall Lewis, 78, of Abbeville, wife of the late Dr. David Clayton Lewis, passed away on Sunday, June 16, 2024 at her home. She was born in Abbeville, SC on Dec. 30, 1945 to the late James David and Sarah Amy Hedden Pursley. 

Mrs. Lewis was a graduate of Abbeville High School, Class of 1963, Lander University and received a Master’s Degree from Clemson University. She served as a 5th grade teacher for five years and as a Guidance Counselor for Abbeville School District for 21 years. Mrs. Lewis worked with the Oconee County School System for several years. She was passionate for education and served on various committees and board. She served two and half terms on the SC State Board of Education where she served on the education committee and chaired the Curriculum and Instructional Materials Committee for several years. In addition, she served on the National Association of State Board for ten years and participated with a National Study Group, The Changing Faces of American Schools, which resulting in publishing of a book The Changes Faces of American Schools. She was instrumental in developing a character development program, COMPASS-Our Directions Throughout Life which was implemented at Long Cane Elementary School for six years. This character program received state, national and international attention of educators. Mrs. Lewis presented the program at a USA/Russia Education Conference in St. Petersburg, Russia in November 2006. She served on a School Counselor’s delegation to Russia with the People To People Ambassador Program. Mrs. Lewis was named Elementary School Counselor of the Year by the SC Counselor’s Association in 2006 for her many accomplishments and dedication to her profession. She also received the Conservation Teacher of the Year Award. Served on numerous committees for Abbeville School District. Mrs. Lewis was past President of the Abbeville Pilot Club, a member of the Major John Bowie DAR, Chrysanthemum Garden Club.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, L. Abner Hall; two brothers; John R. Pursley and her twin brother, Franklin E. Pursley. 

Surviving Mrs. Lewis are her children, Judy Hall Huffman and her husband Jerry of Los Angeles, CA and Michael A. Hall and his wife Kerri of Abbeville, SC; two brothers; Harry Pursley (Alice) of Abbeville, SC and Larry (nip) Pursley (Donna) of Piedmont, SC, a sister-in-law, Ann Leslie Pursley of Jacksonville, FL; three grandsons, Clayton Hall (Sarah Bybee), Brandon Hall (Katie), and Matthew Hall (Mason Bacot)all of Abbeville; great-granddaughter, Zoey Hall and a great- granddaughter, Ella Claire Hall, expected in August 2024; very close friends, Magen Hall and Perrin Seigler of Abbeville. 

A private graveside service will be held in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens. 

A service to celebrate Frances’s life will be 1:00PM Friday, June 21, 2024 in the Abbeville First Baptist Church Sanctuary with the Rev. Chris Sullivan and Rev. Jay Hering officiating. Following the service the family will greet with family and friends at the home. 

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully request, memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Lewis be made to Warrenton Presbyterian Church, 133 Watts Rd. Abbeville, SC 29620 or to the Abbeville Gideons Camp, PO Box 1126, Abbeville, SC 29620 or to the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society, PO Box 1925, Merrifield, VA 22116-9649. 

The family would like to extend a heartfelt appreciation for the love and care given to Mrs. Lewis over the past few months, Gina Webb, Lillian Smith, Tonya Chrisley, Roberta Riehle and Jo Ann Scott. 

The family is at the home on Highland Terrance in Abbeville. 

A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com

Harris Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Abbeville is assisting the Lewis family.