Frances Perkins Slowey

Frances Perkins Castleman Slowey died peacefully at home on May 31,2025. Fran, or Perks as she was known by her Kentucky family, was born in Covington, Kentucky on October 3, 1935, the child of David Castleman and Anna Perkins Castleman. A fiercely proud Kentucky girl, she grew up in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, and attended Margaret Hall School for Girls in Versailles, Kentucky, then later Ashley Hall in Charleston, South Carolina. She spent her vacations with her mother’s family in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and at their summer home in Sarasota, Florida.

Fran moved to Houston, Texas in the late 1950’s to work as a cartographer in the petroleum industry. While at Union Texas Petroleum, she was introduced to her husband of 54 years, J. Frank Slowey Jr, by her future sister-in-in law, Dorothy S. Baker, an executive secretary there. Fran and Frank had two children, son James F. Slowey, III and daughter Susan Carroll Slowey.

Fran was a passionate bridge player, as well as a voracious reader of historical fiction and romance novels. It was not uncommon to find her asleep in bed with a book firmly clutched in her hands. Among her favorite authors were Thomas Costain, Norah Lofts, Victoria Holt, and Anya Seton (the latter’s epic work, Katherine, resided on her nightstand for many, many years). She had a love for Medieval English history, particularly of The Plantagenet Dynasty, and was an admirer of John of Gaunt. She also loved the history of Colonial Virginia, with Monticello, Jamestown, and Colonial Williamsburg all occupying a special place in her heart.

She also enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends and loved ones, which provided a source of joy for her. Her day trips with her daughter and friends were the stuff of legends. She was also the adopted “College Station” mom for many of her children’s friends over the years.

Her laughter, love and warmth will be missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her son, James F. Slowey, III, her daughter, Susan C. Slowey and her fiancé Howard Gordon, son Scott Naylor and his wife Heidi of Milford, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Long Way Home Adoptables or Hospice Brazos Valley.