Frances Lloyd | Campbell Athletics Hall of Fame bio
BUIES CREEK, N.C. –
Frances Lloyd, a Campbell Athletics Hall of Fame member who founded the women's tennis program, passed away Feb. 21 at the age of 95. Lloyd, who served on Campbell's faculty for 35 years, started the women's tennis program in 1972 and oversaw its growth from AIAW to NAIA and ultimately NCAA Division I competition.
The granddaughter of Campbell founder James A. Campbell, Lloyd earned her associate degree from Campbell Junior College in 1947 and her B.S. in physical education from UNC Greensboro in 1949. She joined the Campbell faculty in 1955 as an instructor in the physical education department and served as assistant professor in the physical education/sports fitness and administration program. She earned her M.A.T. from UNC Chapel Hill in 1966.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 23 at Buies Creek Cemetery with a reception following at Memorial Baptist Church.
A member of the Campbell basketball team as a high school and junior college student, Lloyd started the tennis program in 1972 with only one player on her roster that had previous competitive experience. By contrast, her 1988 team set a school record with 17 dual match victories. Coach Lloyd's teams posted winning records in 14 of her 18 seasons. Her overall coaching record was 184-139.
She was the third female inducted into the Campbell Athletics Hall of Fame when she was honored in 1998. She was presented a Certificate of Achievement from the North Carolina Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Health during Campbell's 1995 National Girls and Women in Sports Day ceremonies. After retiring in 1990, she remained a dedicated Campbell sports fan.
Frances Campbell Lynch Lloyd was born August 29, 1928, in Erwin, N.C., to the late Archibald Edgar and Bessie Campbell Lynch. She was preceded in death by her husband Carl J. Lloyd; her son, James R. Lloyd (Jimmy); her sister, Bonnie Bess Lynch Royal; and brother, Arch E. Lynch. Frances is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends to whom she was like a second mother.
A charter member of Memorial Baptist Church in Buies Creek, Frances provided hospitality to newcomers and members as an active member of the church. A master bridge player and knitter, she spent many hours with her two bridge clubs and knitted magnificent sweaters, skirts and accessories. Always active in the community, she enjoyed the Buies Creek Garden Club and Book Club.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to:
Campbell University Advancement Office
(Frances Lloyd and Catherine King Undergraduate Endowed Scholarship)
PO Box 116
Buies Creek, NC 27506
or
Memorial Baptist Church
PO Box 485
Buies Creek, NC 27506
or
Harnett County Historical Society Foundation
PO Box 5286
Pinehurst, NC 28374
Campbell remembers Frances Lloyd…
Wanda Watkins '79 | Campbell Women's Basketball Coach (1981-2016), Senior Associate A.D. (2016-present)
Frances Lloyd is legendary when speaking of Campbell women's athletics. She coached during a time when it was not that lucrative to do so, however, she had a love and impact on her players that far surpassed making money in her eyes. She touched so many people during her many years of service at Campbell. She was such a selfless person. I enjoyed sharing an office with Frances and BJ Clary in Carter Gym during my early years of coaching at Campbell and I learned many life lessons from the two of them. She was not only a devoted coach, but a teacher in the physical education department as well. During those days coaches taught a number of classes as well as coaching their teams. Everyone loved having Mrs. Lloyd for a class. Frances' love for and impact on her students, players, and colleagues as well as her deep love for Campbell University will be long remembered and cherished always.
Karen Gray '85 | Campbell Tennis (1981-85)
While it's been 40 years since I played tennis at Campbell, my fond memories of the home that Coach Lloyd created on and off the court for "her girls" are still very fresh. Whether it was having us over for a home cooked meal, assisting with scheduling, finding a job, or even trying to help find off campus housing, if you needed something, she was always there to assist. We all used to say that she never seemed to grow older and seemed like the energizer bunny. Even after catching up with her several times after graduating her eyes and smile were still as bright and although she wasn't quite as quick as she once was, it was still hard to keep up with her.
I was not recruited as a freshman but had reached out to Coach Lloyd before coming to campus and she could not have been more welcoming. She made sure I was able to come up before school started to practice and meet the other girls and she gave me a chance; that's all that anyone can ask. I was able to play tennis all four years and saw some amazing places during our travels. She introduced me to lifelong friends and shared with me her personal connection with Campbell. I am blessed to have known her and I will remember her as a kind, Christian woman and a coach who made Campbell a home away from home.
Catherine Maynor Reid '84 | Campbell Tennis (1981-84)
Our father had a year between high school and college at Campbell where he met and dated Bonnie Lynch, the sister of Frances Lynch Lloyd. They were part of a group who enjoyed happy times in the Creek. I wish I could locate the picture of the group beneath pine trees with a hound dog on the corner where the Kivett Hall parking lot is today. The Lynch family's brick bungalow was across the street. When I came to visit Campbell, Mrs. Lloyd was so welcoming, remembering Daddy from days gone by. She made all our team feel so at home, so comfortable and made college tennis a joy for us. I wonder if it is that way for players today. There seems to be an awful lot of pressure and expectation, which I'm afraid might actually take away from the college experience. Mrs. Lloyd taught us the values of sportsmanship, competitiveness, as well as cooperation and conviviality with our opponents. Her laugh was contagious, and she brought joy. She was a bright light in my college experience, and I am so grateful for having known her. She is absent from the body, present with the Lord, whole and healed! What a joyous reunion for her and her family and loved ones in heaven.
I was a home economics major, focusing on clothing and textiles, so naturally our team uniforms were of special interest to me. Somehow, I got wind of new uniforms being ordered that were going to be orange polyester with black accents. Oh dear, I thought, that would never do for tennis! I approached Mrs. Lloyd about it and explained my deep misgivings. She said that she understood and that she would trust me to investigate options. Amazingly, I was able to locate peach and white gingham wrap tennis skirts with white cotton tops which Mrs. Lloyd approved and ordered. We were all happy with the results and we were appropriately dressed for our matches wherever we played. As I recall, I even asked Mrs. Lloyd about the possibility of changing the name of the Campbell mascot from the Camels to something a bit more attractive and patrician. Camels just didn't seem very ladylike to me. Anyhow, I suggested the Tartans and that we could use the Campbell clan's tartan plaid for our logos and incorporate the colors and design into our uniforms. I thought this was perfect, just made sense. She listened with interest, liked the idea in theory, but politely informed me that it would be a no-go! To this day I am not a fan of orange though I dearly love Campbell!
Kathy Riley '86, '90 | Campbell Tennis (1982-86)
Coach Lloyd was like my mom away from Mom. She could DRIVE a van. Once we went over a bump in the road. I looked back and saw Carol Stanley bounce up to the ceiling of the van! Coach Lloyd always had a smile on her face. I believe she thought of us as her daughters. I'm sure we didn't have a lot of money in women's tennis back then. Coach made our tennis skirts during my first season. Not many people can say that. We had so much fun playing for her and with each other. It is still one of the best experiences of my life.
Ellen Smith Dunbar '83 | Campbell Tennis (1979-83)
Mrs. Lloyd was a wonderful, caring lady that treated us all like her children. One of the funniest memories was going to the state tournament. We were packing the van and leaving and when we arrived Mrs. Lloyd could not find her luggage. She had left it beside the van back in Buies Creek and my parents brought it up later that afternoon. All trips with Frances were an adventure. Being on the tennis team was by far the most wonderful experience with lifelong friends and memories that will live forever.
Jennie Smoot Vick '84 | Campbell Tennis (1980-84)
I was so sad to hear of Mrs. Lloyd's passing. One of my memories of my time with her is that the team would never let her drive to matches because she was more interested in talking to us about how we were doing than watching the road. She was our mom away from home and when my parents were sent overseas by the Army before my junior year she really did look after me like a mom. She will be missed.
Carol Stanley '85 | Campbell Tennis (1981-85)
Most people consider tennis as an individual sport. However, Coach Lloyd's style of coaching created a culture of team tennis where everyone was equal, included, and supported. One of my favorite memories of Campbell tennis is when we would ride the van to away matches and sing our hearts out to Loggins and Messina songs playing on the "boom-box." Coach Lloyd would either drive or sit in the front passenger seat smiling because she knew her team's collective voice and spirit united us and prepared us to carry that sense of community onto the court.
