Frances Fern Shotwell

Funeral services for Frances Fern Shotwell, 77, of Gainesville, are set for 3:00 PM Monday, October 29, 2018, at the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home with Chaplain Mark Melton officiating.  A visitation will precede the funeral service beginning at 2:00 PM.  Burial will follow in New Hope Cemetery, Mountain Springs, next to her beloved husband Jody Shotwell.

Frances was born on March 10, 1941 to Albert Ross and Cecil Jim Murphy.  She passed away on October 25, 2018 in McKinney Texas from complications of Alzheimer’s.

Frances (also known to her friends and family as Fern) lived in several states in her younger years as a Navy wife.  One of her hobbies at that time was singing in bands with her husband Jody.   She also played the tambourine.  When they moved back to Gainesville, in the late seventies she worked for Piggly Wiggly in the meat department.  All during Fern’s life she was the caregiver for so many people.  Even as a young teenager she was taking care of younger nieces and as an adult she took care of her mother.  She also was the caregiver to her husband throughout his battle with Alzheimer’s.  They would have been married 51 years this October 6, 2018.  She was an avid crafter, wonderful cook, and loved to garden.  She loved her grandchildren very much and always enjoyed every visit with them.

Frances Fern is survived by her daughter Devon Shotwell (Wood) of Celina, Mistie Snowden and her husband Norm of Lucas and grandchildren Christopher Wood II, Ellorah Snowden, Nohea Snowden, and Caiohme Wood.  She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Albert Ross and Cecil Jim Murphy, sister Edith Pope, brothers Orville Murphy, Eugene Murphy, Edward Murphy and Jimmy Murphy.