PERRY COUNTY, Ky. (WYMT) -Perry County is mourning the loss of Frances M. Napier, a longtime restaurant owner who died Friday at age 84.

Napier was born Sept. 25, 1941, in Harlan County. She opened France’s Diner in Hazard 57 years ago and served home-style cooking ever since.

“I have great customers. I know they’re going to be here everyday most of them 2 sometimes 3 times a day,” Napier said in 2022.

While business was steady, Napier faced trials with the diner. The original location was on Combs Road, but in 2022, she decided it was time for a move. The diner’s new address was on Main Street.

It was only three years later the Main Street location flooded in February 2025.

“Well it was just completely totaled us away, right down to the chairs, tables and everything. It washed us out

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