Frances R. Stauffer

Frances Riddick McDonald Stauffer, 96, passed away October 31, 2025 in Pensacola, FL.

Annie Frances “Fran” Stauffer was born in Gates County in northeastern North Carolina on January 13, 1929, a daughter of Willie Herman Riddick and Nellie Marie Riddick. Two siblings, Willie Herman Riddick Jr. and Sara Riddick Stallings, predeceased her. Her younger brother, Charles J. Riddick, resides in Fuquay Varina, NC.

Fran graduated from Hobbsville High School (where she was a standout on the girls’ basketball team) and East Carolina Teachers College (later East Carolina University) with her sights set on a career as a professional teacher. She later earned a master’s degree in education from ECU and completed coursework for a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech University.

In 1952, Fran married William B. “Bill” McDonald, a football coach at ECU. They later moved to Portsmouth, VA, to work at Frederick College. Bill, who served as head football coach, died suddenly in 1963.

Fran and their two children moved to Mobile, AL, where she joined the business education faculty of the University of South Alabama.

In 1975, Fran married John P. Stauffer and relocated to Suffolk, VA., where they lived until John’s death in 2018. While in Suffolk, she joined the business education faculty of Norfolk State University, where she worked until her retirement in 1994.

Throughout her life, Fran enjoyed close relationships with a large extended family in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. She was active in alumni activities of ECU. She made friends easily and was known as an accomplished cook, hostess and seamstress and was a certified master gardener. She traveled the United States and the world extensively with her husband John.

In addition to her brother, Charles, Fran is survived by her son, William B. McDonald Jr. of Spring Hill, FL, and her daughter, Laurilyn McDonald Fortner and husband, Tom of Fairhope, AL. She was also preceded in death by her granddaughter, Frances Anne Fortner.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at the Riddick Family Cemetery on Sandy Cross Road (closest street number 728) in Hobbsville, NC officiated by Rev. Brett Hutchins.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to East Carolina University or the educational institution of your choice.

Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, NC is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com