Frances Ann Stevens

Surrounded by family and friends, Frances Ann Stevens, 85, passed away in Gainesville on Wednesday, October 24, 2012. Frances Ann's parents were William Wright and Bertha Mae Camp Stevens and was their youngest child. She was born on September 15, 1927. (Frances was a Stevens before she married Harry Stevens.) Her father owned and was in business with Stevens Cabinet Shop in Gainesville and was a local builder/contractor from 1920-1944.

Frances Ann's life presented several battles for her along the way that she fought with dignity. At the age of three, she contacted infantile paralysis, later known as polio. The family was quarantined for 3 months. One doctor told her parents that he would have to put a brace on her and another doctor advised lots of exercise rather than a brace. Her parents chose the later and Frances Ann, with lots of exercising from swimming, tricycle, etc., believed for the rest of her life that her parent's decision helped her live a normal life with her walking ability until many years later.

At Newsome Doughtery Memorial High School, Frances met Harry Stevens. He was a Leopard first string tight end and senior class president who was working at Leazer-Keel Funeral Home part time and he won her heart. Frances Ann was in the Maroon Band. He graduated from Gainesville High School in 1943 and she graduated in 1944. After graduation, she entered Draughon Business School in Dallas in order to become a secretary at the age of 17. Harry joined the Army Air Corps.

Harry and Frances married in San Antonio where Harry was stationed at Lackland AFB, on San Jacinto Day, April 21, 1945. They danced the night away in San Antonio to "San Antonio Rose," which became their song.

As WWII was gearing down, Harry was transferred to Alabama with the Army Air Corps and Frances applied for a position with Governor Folsom of Alabama and got the job. She always spoke so highly of her time with Governor Folsom and treasured the job reference he wrote for her the rest of her life. However, at that time it was important to both of them to return to their roots in Gainesville as Harry had a job waiting for him at Leazer/Keel Funeral Home. He soon enrolled at Dallas School of Embalming to become a Funeral Director. Frances obtained a job with Central Freight Lines as secretary.

After their children, Carol Ann and William Scott (Bill) were born, Frances and Harry joined Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home.

Later, Frances worked for Odessa College, Tarrant County Junior College, and North Central Texas College before retiring. She also served as President of the Women's Rotary in Odessa. Upon retiring, in 1994, Frances Ann and Harry moved to Lake Kiowa. Frances loved to play bridge, and many of her former bridge players at Kiowa called her a bridge guru. She also loved the Gourmet Cooking Club and her Gin Rummy Club while living there. Frances loved cooking for her family and friends. Throughout her life she was an avid reader and worked daily crossword puzzles. She also participated in the Ladies Swim Club in Gainesville. Frances, Harry and family were longtime members of Saint Paul's Episcopal Church.

It can be said, that Frances Ann Stevens never chose to tout any accomplishments for herself. Success for her came wrapped in the accomplishments and successes of her family. She was a devoted wife, mother and friend. Frances will always be remembered for her priceless laugh. It made you laugh even if you did not know what was funny.

Frances Ann is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, James and Carol Ann Stevens Hess of Muenster, son-in-law, Bob Henley of Gainesville; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Rob and Gina Henley, Kate Raelyn and Lauren Elaine Henley of Lindsay; Jon and Helene Henley, Ava Nicole and Jon Wright Henley, Jr.; Kathleen and Gary Muller, Garrett Kade and Trenton Jace Muller, all of Muenster; son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Cindy Steven of Katy; grandchildren; Elizabeth Ann Stevens, and Lauren Michelle Stevens; her sister Carol Kathleen Stevens Coughtry of Fort Worth; niece Carol Coughtry Sutton of Louisiana; nephew Lloyd S. Coughtry, Jr. of California, great nephew, Steven Sutton and great niece, Jessie Sutton of Louisiana; close family friends Jan VanHoorebeke of Collinsville; Connie and Dennis Neu, Lori Neu, Aston Neu, and the late Brad Neu, and all the staff and friends of the Wheeler House, all of Gainesville. The family expresses much gratitudefor the loving care Frances Ann received for several years from the Wheeler House Assisted Living and Home Hospice.

Frances was predeceased by her husband, Harry W. Stevens, Jr. in 1997, her parents Wright and Bertha Stevens and her brother William Wright (Bill) Stevens, Jr., (First Gainesville boy to lose his life in WWII on the USS Houston on March 2, 1945).

Services will be held Saturday, October 27, 2012, at the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home. Family visitation 1:00-2:00 p.m., service at 2:00 p.m. with burial to follow in the Fairview Cemetery.

In her last years, Frances fought a very courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease and the family request that any memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 4144 Central Expressway, Suite 750, Dallas, TX 75204, Home Hospice of Cooke County, or Saint Paul's Episcopal Church.