Frances Lorraine (Biggs) Jones

Frances Lorraine Jones passed away peacefully in Kalamazoo, MI. She was born in Hastings MI a daughter of the late Clarence and Minnie Belle (Roush) Biggs.

After graduating from Eastern Michigan University, Frances began teaching at the YMCA in Lansing. It was there she founded the Lansing Sea Sprites, a synchronized swimming club. After many years of promoting the sport and endless dedication, synchronized swimming, now called artistic swimming, became an Olympic sport! She took her teams and toured the world in 1960 and 1964. The first tour ended in Rome, Italy right after the Olympics. The second tour made stops in 21 different countries and ended in Tokyo during the Olympics. In 1984 she was a Technical Official at the Olympics in Los Angeles.

She was the President of the Michigan Synchro Coaches Association, a National Judge for Synchro for 20 years, the National Chairman of U S Synchronized Swimming from 1969-1971, and co-authored a textbook, The Components of Synchronized Swimming. She was Lansing Michigan’s woman of the year and won a Helms’ Hall of Fame Award in 1961.

Frances was a life-long member of the Birmingham First United Methodist Church and had strong faith. A celebration of Frances’ life will take place at the church, 1589 West Maple Rd, Birmingham, MI 48009, on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at 11:00am followed by a luncheon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Birmingham First United Methodist Church’s music fund.

On August 7, 1949, Frances married Stanley Jones who preceded her in death on July 24, 2008. Frances is survived by her children, Jeffrey S. (Susan) Jones, and Candice (David) Crane; four grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Arrangements entrusted to Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 622 S. Burdick St, Kalamazoo MI 49007. To view Frances’ personalized web page, please visit https://www.langelands.com