Frankie B. Hand

Frankie Belle Warren, later Frankie Belle Hand, was born in Birmingham, Alabama on March 18, 1920 to proud parents, Frank and Lula Warren. She was the oldest of seven children. At the age of two, Frankie moved with her family to Detroit, Michigan.

When meeting Frankie for the first time, one was immediately impressed by her sweetness, her kindness, and her intelligence. As the oldest of seven, Frankie was the educational frontrunner of her family and the first to graduate from college. Her siblings quickly followed her lead and all seven attended college. Yet, her educational road was not easy. It was World War II, and times were tough. Frankie worked in various jobs to finance her way through college. She was a factory worker, drug store clerk, and playground leader. Her biggest roadblock however, was when Michigan Normal Teachers College, now known as Eastern Michigan University, refused to accept her into the home management program, which happened to be a graduation course requirement, because she was black. The other students in her program filed a petition on her behalf, and she was admitted her into the program. Frankie received her teaching degree in home economics. After college Frankie married the love of her life Oscar Hand. They were married for 49 years and had one child, Judy.

After graduation, Frankie began her more than 40-years career as a home economics teacher and counselor at Detroit Public Schools. She worked at Russell, Barbour, and Tappan Middle Schools and retired from Detroit Public Schools as a counselor at Webber Middle School. Frankie inspired her students. One noteworthy incident with a former student struck her to her heart. Frankie attended a lecture where a former student was the keynote speaker. After the program, her former student ran up and hugged her. The former student raved about the influence Frankie had had on her life. That former student was none other than Betty Shabazz, wife of Malcolm X.

Frankie was completely devoted to her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated, and was a faithful member for 76 years. Over the years, Frankie held various positions in the organization. Yet, her greatest joy was her luncheon/meetings with her beloved Delta Dears.

Family was the most important part of Frankie’s life. As a child of the Depression, she helped raise her sisters and brothers while her parents worked hard to make ends meet. Her younger brother, Oscar, would affectionally call her Frankie Belle. Frankie leaves her daughter, Judith Hand, a brother, Donald Warren, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and friends to celebrate her life well-lived.