Dr. Frances Exum
Dr. Frances Exum

Obituary of Dr. Frances Exum

Dr. Frances Bell Exum of Charlotte, NC died peacefully, after a long illness on July 13, 2022 at Levine & Dickson Hospice House in Huntersville, North Carolina. She was 82 years old. Dr. Exum is survived by her “chosen sister,” Beverly E. Thompson of Charlotte, NC and her many friends who dearly loved her.

Dr. Exum was born on May 11, 1940 in Birmingham, Alabama. She received her education from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. Dr. Frances Exum graduated in 1962 with her BA Degree and was invited to join the Phi Beta Kappa Society. It is the oldest and most prestigious honor society in the United States. Dr. Exum's GPA and her good and moral character contributed to her qualifications for being invited to be a member of Phi Beta Kappa. It was an honor for her, she earned it. Dr. Exum received her MA in 1963 and her PHD in 1970. Her career began as a Spanish Instructor at North Carolina Wesleyan College from 1963-1965, Greensboro College from 1965-1967. After completing her PHD in Spanish, she was an Assistant Professor of Spanish 1970-1973, Associate Professor of Spanish from 1973-1977. Dr. Exum became Professor of Spanish in 1977 at Winthrop College and remained there until her retirement in 1991.

Dr. Frances Exum was a wonderful teacher and her students loved and respected her. In 1982, Dr. Frances Exum was one the recipients of the Phi Kappa Phi Excellence in Teaching Awards. This was an award that was voted upon by the students. The award was based upon the Professor’s knowledge of the subject, interest in the students, the fairness of the Professor, and the availability of the Professor to the students. Students wrote letters to the Excellence in Teaching Award Committee. This award was not a popularity contest. The Excellence in Teaching Award Committee was always careful to make certain that those Professors who would receive it, deserved this prestigious award.

Dr. Exum was a member of a number of professional organizations. A few of her favorites were the MLA, Modern Language Association, American Association Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, and the Renaissance Society of America. Dr. Frances Exum was a published author, “The Metamorphosis of Lope Vega’s King Pedro, Plaza Mayor, Madrid, 1974”. She published numerous articles regarding the “SPANISH GOLDEN AGE LITERATURE”.

Dr. Exum was a fantastic teacher, an accomplished scholar, and a treasured friend. To those of us who knew her well, she will always be remembered as a lovely lady who had a beautiful smile and an unbelievable sense of humor. We will all love and miss her. RIP Dr. Frances Bell Exum, you have earned your rest. May every memory of your life be blessed.

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