Frances was born September 25, 1917 in Abesville, Missouri and passed away November 25, 2011 at the age of 94. She married Kenneth Melton and to this union four children were born. In 1942 they moved to Springfield, Missouri. Kenneth and Frances worked hard to provide for their family. They not only gave us love and supplied us with basic needs, but also gave us a sense of self worth that we have been able to take with us through our lives, and hopefully pass on to our children.
After Kenneth’s death in 1964, she later married Frank Furman. They were together forty years, until his death in 2005. She continued to live alone in the family home and was happy having her children and grandchildren visiting her regularly, working in her flowers, and visiting with her sister by phone each week.
Frances was a long time member of Northwest Baptist Church and attended regularly, with her husband Frank, until her health prevented her from doing so.
In addition to her two husbands, Frances was preceded in death by her parents, William and Bessie Hedrick; her sisters, Alpha White, Audie Cutbirth, Mamie Alice Tufts, and Famie Stewart; and her brothers, Alvis Hedrick, and Elzie Hedrick.
Frances is survived by her daughter Norma Bougher of Kimberling City, MO; her sons, Carroll Melton (Dorothy), Ray Melton (Nancy), of Springfield, MO, and Gary Melton (Twila) of Plano, TX; nine grandchildren, Janet Delcour, Russell Melton, Randall Melton, Barry Bougher, Shelly Griese, Leslie Burris, Gregory McAlear, Mark Melton, and Dr. Andrea Ellis; two step grandchildren, Beth West and Jason McElwain; and many great and great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister, Willie Thomas of Springfield, MO.
The family would like to extend thanks to the nurses and PCA’s at Cox Medical Center and the Magnolia Square staff for the care and comfort they gave her during the last few weeks.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at Greenlawn Funeral Home North, Springfield, Missouri, with interment to follow in White Chapel Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. before the service also at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com.