In Memory of my Friend

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118 Verse 24

These words Frances spoke to the assemblage of women the morning of our first meeting. They were her typical opening statement as she gave the short devotional that was always part of the creative activity program I attended weekly with my mother at her church. These same words were repeated without fail as Frances began and ended each day in prayer and meditation with her Lord.

Short in stature, but big in heart Frances became both my friend and mentor in the following 10 years. To say she touched my life in a special way only begins to cover the impact she had upon me with her grace, spirit, compassion and sheer joy of living life no matter the challenges that befell.

Widowed at 39 and left to raise her 2 daughters alone on her pay from her job as cashier at the local A&P, she never complained about her fate. She “carried on” as she put it. Frances never remarried, focusing instead on her job as a mother and her unflagging ministry to others, whom she said had needs greater than her own. Always with a ready smile and loving heart Frances tended to the spirit of others with the same fervor she tended to her own.

Yet, her true touch upon my life came at the death of my own husband in 2002. Through cards, letters, phone calls and face to face chats she encouraged me to look at the gifts I had been given in the loving relationship with my husband, his tender care of our children and the number of years we were graced to share together. She reminded me that I honored my husband in living life with the same spirit he did. She coached me to “carry on” though my heart was broken into pieces. My ears were not always open to her words in the beginning but the loving hugs that came with the chats were eagerly accepted and appreciated. When ever I think of someone I would care to emulate in my own journey on this path, Frances is always first to come to mind.

Today my emotional state slides between my sadness at the loss of my friend and the joy I know she felt at her own passing. Her girls were with her and said that Frances died in silent peace with that sweet slight smile she had when she knew a secret. My life and widowed journey has been blessed by the gift of friendship, time and compassion given so graciously by this special woman. I will miss her yet; I honor her joy in living life, her steadfast faith and her dying grace.

What follows below are edited excerpts of the obituary written by her son-in-law that conveys in better words than mine the impact this tiny, spirited, feisty blue-eyed woman had during her 95 years on this planet.

I am a better person for having known her.

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Frances Wood Rice

UPSTATE, SC-- Frances Wood Rice went to meet her Savior and Lord on Monday, January 23, 2006. She was the beloved wife of the late Lewis Mulloy Rice and the devoted mother of two daughters, two beloved sons-in-law, adored grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and friend to the multitude of souls she touched in her lifetime.

A native of Cherokee County, SC and a 66-year resident of this city, Frances was the last surviving member of the Raymouth and ShadeWood family and was the fifth of the 12 children in her family. She was born on January 6, 1911.

A widow for 56 years, Frances built her life around her faith in Christ and her love for her family. Each child, grandchild, or great-grandchild knew that he or she was of unmeasured worth in Grandmothers eyes, and for her family there was nothing that she would not do. She was always there for every one of us. When her eyesight failed, her hearing was poor, and aging’s aches and pains kept her at home more than she liked, each child was lifted up in prayer every day and was never out of her thoughts or her heart.

For 66 years Frances was an active member of First Baptist Church and remained so until her death. Over the years she served as a President of the Young-at-Heart, Yesterdays Teens, and her Sunday School Class, the Friendship Class. She loved the church and the people in it. Countless afternoons were spent on the road because the joy of her life lay in visiting and ministering to the sick, to shut-ins, or to those who needed comfort. She gave herself away as a friend to all who needed a friend, usually appearing at their doors with a loaf of homemade bread.

Frances retired from the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company as Head Bookkeeper in 1978, having worked with the company for 30+ years. It’s true that she enjoyed her job, but she enjoyed retirement even more. For many years after retirement she hosted Granny’s Dreams, an annual craft bazaar at her home, selling items that she had sewn, knitted, stenciled, or crafted in various ways. These sales were attended by hundreds of people in the Upstate area, and her family served as her support staff for the day.

A lifelong knitter, Frances taught knitting classes at First Baptist Church’s Activity Day and was Activity Day’s first Director in 1978. She also developed a cap ministry after her retirement. She knitted hundreds of toboggans and sent them worldwide to mission fields as far away as Alaska, Croatia, Australia, and to places closer to home--Connie Maxwell Children’s Home in Greenwood and the Shriner’s Hospital in Greenville. She also completed about 150 tiny red caps donated to newborns at the Regional Medical Center.

Although her worldly goods were few, Frances was one of the wealthiest women in town because she spent her life laying up treasures in Heaven. Our family rejoices today in the knowledge that unquestionably she is seated at the feast table of the King.

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Rest in peace, my friend. I will miss you greatly.