KINGSPORT - Frances Tranbarger, age 94, of Kingsport, died Sunday, December 20, 2020, following a period of deteriorating health.
Frances was born in Russell County, VA to the late Howard and Ann Parrott Cassell. She matriculated to Kingsport in 1954, as the bride of the late Robert Tranbarger. Upon completion of coursework at Milligan College, University of Virginia and East Tennessee State University Frances worked in the field of medical technology on both sides of the state line, prior to having transitioned to full-time homemaker and mother.
Francesâ greatest passions included the Atlanta Braves, chardonnay at 5:00 pm, ETSU ball games with Jay Sandos on the call, Heatherâs cornbread, Josh Groban, Memphis barbeque, Murrellâs Inlet Seafood and tailgating in the grove at Ole Miss. She was an avid golfer into her eighties. Frances once recorded a hole in one on the par 3 #6 at Silver Lake Golf Club.
The Gym Devils continue to show they belong among the top programs, finishing in the top 25 at the end of the last three seasons under head coach Jay Santos. The No. 21 preseason ranking is the same spot they earned in last year s preseason poll.
Arizona State s ranking is sixth among Pac-12 schools, with all schools in the conference earning a spot in the top 25 aside from Stanford. Three conference foes are in the top 10: No. 4 Utah, No. 7 UCLA and No. 8 Cal.
Despite the abrupt end to the 2020 season, Jay and Jessica Santos led a young Arizona State gymnastics squad to a successful year. The Sun Devils finished the season with a 7-6-1 record, wrapping up the year ranked No. 21 after jumping 13 spots from the second-to-last week of the season. The Sun Devils also finished in fourth in the Pac-12 regular season standings. Four of their wins came against ranked opponents, including a win over No. 10 Cal.