IRVINGTON—Frank Harvey Elliott passed away on February 10, 2024, succumbing to years-long kidney and heart issues. He was 90 and lived out his final days under the love and care of family and his wonderful caregivers at Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury retirement home in Irvington, where he resided when he wasn’t at his home in Kilmarnock.
Frank was born in Finchley, on May 8, 1933, to Greely Edmonson and Lillie May Carter Elliott. He was the fourth of five children. His older siblings, Greely Jr., Virginia and Raymond are deceased, and his younger sister, Ruth, lives with her husband, J.K., in Texas.
Life as an adolescent came with extreme challenges, yet Frank persevered, he worked tirelessly, and he essentially became an adult at a very young age. He was the assistant editor for his high school newspaper and he was voted by his peers as “Best All Around Boy.”
After graduating from high school, Frank went into the Navy for two years and he served in the same unit with his brother, Raymond. He then went on to college at William & Mary in Williamsburg. Even while in school, he still worked all day and he also played trumpet in the marching band. It was there where he met his wife, Betsy Stafford Elliott, who also played the trumpet. They married on June 14, 1958, and they happily enjoyed wedding bliss for the rest of their lives.
Frank earned his undergraduate degree in music and later a master’s in education. He spent most of his career in high school administration, culminating in lengthy tenures as a beloved principal at Jefferson High School and Lee High School, both in Fairfax County. He was also deeply involved with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), at one point running for president of the association.
Music was a lifelong passion for Frank—it seemed he was always whistling and he often played the guitar, ukulele, banjo and any string instrument he could find. He sang in church choirs and later in retirement he co-founded, directed and sang in the local Barbershop Harmony Society chapter, The Bay Tones. He spent many of his later years reading all the Jack Reacher books, exploring the family’s genealogy and attending family reunions and enjoying cruises in locales around the world with relatives and friends. His ultimate and most significant endearment was he steadfastly stood by and cared for his beloved Betsy in her last years as she battled dementia.
Frank was the best father anyone could wish for and just a great human being. He was so kind, generous, considerate and loving. He served others always, provided steadfast direction and guidance, he was a principled man and he was honest with impeccable integrity. Although he often appeared serious, he was actually really funny.
Frank and Betsy, who had passed away in January of 2023, are survived by their three sons, David, (wife Gina), Michael (wife Gigi) and John; their seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Frank and Betsy are buried at Historic Christ Church in Weems.
