Photo by Yvonne Kemp
Frances Utsey, at 80 years old, is the matriarch of her family. Frances and her mother came to Milwaukee in 1956. She attended Rufus King High School, graduating in January 1960, and continued her education at MATC. Frances married William Utsey in 1965 and was blessed with 2 daughters. She realized, after working at Wisconsin Gas Company, that Corporate America was not for her. She became a licensed real estate broker in 1973, working at Homemark Realty, United Realty, and other realty companies. Frances was also an entrepreneur, opening a consignment shop, Dress for Less on Fond du Lac Avenue, and later opening The Cultural Connection Bookstore on Villard Avenue. She retired in 2008 to take care of her mother and aunt. Pictured are (standing from left) son-in-law Victory Simmons, daughter DeAnna Utsey- Simmons, granddaughter Saniya Simmons, granddaughter DeAnna Horton, daughter Stacee Utsey, granddaughter Sharice Simmons, great granddaughter Skylar Simmons, grandson Tranel Simmons, (seated from left) Frances Utsey, great granddaughter Summer Simmons, and husband Bill Utsey.
