To many families in Mississippi with children in gifted education, Frances Karnes was a beacon of light, guiding the way for students and parents as they navigated unique challenges in public education.

Karnes, founder of the Frances A. Karnes Center for Gifted Education at the University of Southern Mississippi, died Friday, Aug 22. She was 87.

“Dr. Karnes was a true pioneer whose vision transformed gifted education in Mississippi and beyond,” said Southern Miss President Joe Paul. “She was a force for good, a tireless leader, and her unwavering commitment to students, educators and families reflects the very best of our institution.”

"My grandmother, Dr. Frances A. Karnes, was a champion and advocate in the world of gifted education," her granddaughter Mary Ryan Brown wrote in an In

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