Singleton, Frances Caroline

Frances Caroline Haynes Singleton was the youngest of three children born to Jacob Nolton Haynes, Sr. and Augusta Quick Haynes in Bennettsville, South Carolina on February 6, 1931. On Saturday, March 12, 2011, Frances departed from labor to eternal rest. After graduating from Marlboro County Training High School with honors, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Claflin University, Orangeburg, South Carolina in 1951. She obtained her Master of Arts degree from North Carolina Central College (University), Durham, North Carolina. On September 22, 1966 she married Reverend Mingo Willie Singleton. Seven years later they became the parents of Jason Darrell. At an early age she was converted and joined St. Michael United Methodist Church, Bennettsville, SC. In 1968 she joined Wayman Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Statesburg, SC where her husband was the pastor. Later she transferred her membership to Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church, Florence, SC, Reverend L. B. Burgess, Pastor. Upon the transfer of Presiding Elder Singleton from the Northeast Conference to the Lancaster District in the Columbia, South Carolina Annual Conference, she joined Reid Chapel AMEC, Columbia, SC under the pastorate of the Reverend James R. Glover. From 1969-2001, she served as the Advisor to the Women’s Missionary Society of the Dillon, Florence, Marion and Lancaster Areas. Upon the demise of Presiding Elder Singleton, she returned to her home church in Florence, SC in 2002 and remained a faithful member of the McAllister Witherspoon Women’s Missionary Society, Lay Organization and the Sanctuary Choir. She worked hard with her husband financially and spiritually for Allen University and many other areas with youth. They felt blessed to be in a position to encourage young people to give their life to Christ. While at Claflin, she was inducted in Gamma Nu Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc. as a charter member, March 19, 1949. She remained active in Religious and Civic Organizations after retirement from work in 1987. She was a member of the first Parent Advisor Council organized at Coastal Carolina College (University), Conway, South Carolina. She served as an officer in the Northeast Conference Women’s Missionary Society, Band Booster Club, Wilson High School, Florence, SC, Epsilon Chi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Florence, SC and Florence County Education Association, Retired. She taught music in Union, Laurens, Bennettsville and Florence, South Carolina. It was her joy and pride to have Choir members excel in Music Festivals, All State Chorus, Regional and other competitions. Some of her students sang with her on the Florence Choral Society that was accompanied by the Florence Symphony Orchestra in 1972. She was privileged to serve on three Southern Association of Accreditation of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Frances attended many Women’s Missionary Society Quadrennials as an Observer and Delegate. At the Executive Board of the WMS in Houston, Texas she was a Presenter. Eight years she served as the Chairperson of the Episcopal Communications and Media Relations Committee. She held Life Membership in the Connectional Women’s Missionary Society of the AMEC, State and National Education Association (Retired), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and (Golden Soror), National Council of Negro Women and NAACP. She was also a member of the Connectional Ministers’, Spouses, Widows and Widowers Organization. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. Jacob and Mrs. Augusta Q. Haynes; husband, Presiding Elder Mingo W. Singleton; brother, Jacob N. Haynes, Jr.; sister, Augusta M. Haynes; and other relatives. Those who shared the joys of life with her and cherish the memory are: her beloved son, Jason Darrell Singleton of California; stepchildren; nephew, COL (Ret) Jacob (La Brenda) Haynes of Virginia; grand-niece, Dr. Janelle (Leon) Haynes-Barfield of Florida; sister-in-law, Beatrice Evans of Orangeburg, SC; and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.