(Editor’s note: the following is information given at the funeral service of Frances McLemore by the Rev. Virgil Carter.)
Frances McLemore was born in 1912. Her father was the late Silas Johnson and her mother was the late Letitia Sellers Johnson. She had two sisters, Ouida and Merle and one brother, Bernice.
Remembering a dear lady
She had a long life that included many significant events - two world wars, two husbands, the popularization of automobiles, radio, indoor plumbing, air travel, telephones, TV, computers, space travel, etc.
She began driving at the age of 12; taking short trips like to Brunswick and shortly afterwards drove her mother and father (neither of whom drove) to New York City to see her half brother. Many of the roads were dirt and tedious. They put a suitcase behind her so that she could reach the vehicle’s pedals. She was an adventurer. The car must have been a Model T in 1924, when Mrs. McLemore was 12.
She spent 90 years of her life in the house in which she was born and never felt the need to complain.
She was once asked her secret to contentment and happiness. “I never expected a lot,” she answered. (She gave a lot; school, family and community!).
She was a modest person who saw the value in hard work and frugality. She was independent, however her family and many others depended on her, but she depended on no one. Frances was devoted to her family without exception and loved them unconditionally. She was a rock! She was independent-minded and determined. She was forthright - you didn’t have to talk to her long before you knew what she thought.
Mrs. McLemore, began teaching at Bennett School (which closed in 1955) in Appling County at a very young age, but spent the vast majority of her teaching career, some 30 years, at Surrency, where she tried to teach students well, the most difficult of which may have been her three children, each of which she taught in two separate grades. Only one of her children ever received a paddling in school, that’s right - it was mama that administered the paddling.
Kids and their potential fascinated Mrs. McLemore. She prided herself in what she taught them and in their success.
Comments by former students include; “Mrs. McLemore is a great teacher, “A really good teacher, “I loved Mrs. McLemore” and “She taught all three of our children.”
During January -March in 1947 she served as Appling County Director of Public Welfare.
Mrs. Frances McLemore’s husband, Carr McLemore was editor of The Baxley News-Banner in 1935 to1936.
Lifelong interests consisted of the following:
-Piano - she played at school functions for many years, including the FFA Quartet (which consisted of Philip Osteen, Victor McLain, Jerome Tillman and Dan McLemore), she played at church, especially at Surrency Baptist, at graduations and chapel programs and also for the residents at Bethany Assisted Living in Vidalia, as recently as six months ago, and she played the piano in her living room at home. Unfortunately her musical talents were not inherited by her children or grandchildren.
-Flowers - she loved to work in her flower garden and took pride in her roses. She believed everything grew better with chicken fertilizer. I agree.
-Caring for the needy - she felt that caring for others in time of need, especially the elderly and less fortunate was a mandate, but she also enjoyed it. And the people whom she took pork chops and turnip greens also seemed to enjoy it just as much! I expect she had pepper sauce and corn bread and it was crackling cornbread, it had to be good cooking.
In my opinion, her long and active life was the result of a positive attitude and an ability to adjust to whatever the situation was at the time. She embraced life and whatever was around the corner. She believed in acting young no matter how old you were. She could still do the Charleston at age 80. Amazing!
Virgil Carter
She began driving at the age of 12; taking short trips like to Brunswick and shortly afterwards drove her mother and father (neither of whom drove) to New York City to see her half brother. Many of the roads were dirt and tedious. They put a suitcase behind her so that she could reach the vehicle’s pedals. She was an adventurer. The car must have been a Model T in 1924, when Mrs. McLemore was 12.
She spent 90 years of her life in the house in which she was born and never felt the need to complain.
She was once asked her secret to contentment and happiness. “I never expected a lot,” she answered. (She gave a lot; school, family and community!).
She was a modest person who saw the value in hard work and frugality. She was independent, however her family and many others depended on her, but she depended on no one. Frances was devoted to her family without exception and loved them unconditionally. She was a rock! She was independent-minded and determined. She was forthright - you didn’t have to talk to her long before you knew what she thought.
Mrs. McLemore, began teaching at Bennett School (which closed in 1955) in Appling County at a very young age, but spent the vast majority of her teaching career, some 30 years, at Surrency, where she tried to teach students well, the most difficult of which may have been her three children, each of which she taught in two separate grades. Only one of her children ever received a paddling in school, that’s right - it was mama that administered the paddling.
Kids and their potential fascinated Mrs. McLemore. She prided herself in what she taught them and in their success.
Comments by former students include; “Mrs. McLemore is a great teacher, “A really good teacher, “I loved Mrs. McLemore” and “She taught all three of our children.”
During January -March in 1947 she served as Appling County Director of Public Welfare.
Mrs. Frances McLemore’s husband, Carr McLemore was editor of The Baxley News-Banner in 1935 to1936.
Lifelong interests consisted of the following:
-Piano - she played at school functions for many years, including the FFA Quartet (which consisted of Philip Osteen, Victor McLain, Jerome Tillman and Dan McLemore), she played at church, especially at Surrency Baptist, at graduations and chapel programs and also for the residents at Bethany Assisted Living in Vidalia, as recently as six months ago, and she played the piano in her living room at home. Unfortunately her musical talents were not inherited by her children or grandchildren.
-Flowers - she loved to work in her flower garden and took pride in her roses. She believed everything grew better with chicken fertilizer. I agree.
-Caring for the needy - she felt that caring for others in time of need, especially the elderly and less fortunate was a mandate, but she also enjoyed it. And the people whom she took pork chops and turnip greens also seemed to enjoy it just as much! I expect she had pepper sauce and corn bread and it was crackling cornbread, it had to be good cooking.
In my opinion, her long and active life was the result of a positive attitude and an ability to adjust to whatever the situation was at the time. She embraced life and whatever was around the corner. She believed in acting young no matter how old you were. She could still do the Charleston at age 80. Amazing!
Virgil Carter
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