Frances Vawter's Obituary
Frances Vawter, 86, a beautiful and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, died peacefully at home June 12, 2010, following a brief illness. Her husband of 67 years, Wesley Rhodes Vawter, Jr., preceded her in death only a year ago, on May 29, 2009. Mrs. Vawter was born Jan. 20, 1924, in Alexandria, Louisiana, to Laura Pearl Girlinghouse Luckett and Robert Leven Luckett. Her father died when she was only four years old, leaving her mother to raise three small children alone during the Depression, a situation that seemed to deeply shape Mrs. Vawter’s compassionate outlook throughout her life. She was one of three sisters remembered as “the Luckett girls” in Alexandria long after they had married and begun families of their own. Mrs. Vawter began her married life as a young war bride, when her husband enlisted in the Army Air Corps during World War II. After the war, she became a corporate wife, moving several times throughout the U. S. with her husband during his thirty year career with Chrysler Corporation. A caring and creative homemaker, she literally set up households from coast to coast during her husband’s career, living by a motto inscribed on a small plaque in her kitchen, “Bloom where you are planted.” During twenty years of retirement in Memphis, the Vawters were members of Mullins United Methodist Church, where Mrs. Vawter was a communion steward, a member of the finance and parsonage committees, and a member of United Methodist Women. She also enjoyed participating in garden and investment clubs in Memphis and swimming for health and fitness. She was a member of the Salvation Army Auxiliary and formerly delivered meals for MIFA. Her all-white garden enchanted her family and friends, but she also grew colorful annuals in the community garden at Shelby Farms, mostly to donate for church events or to brighten area nursing homes. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a stepfather, Page Huddle, and a sister, Mary Luckett Crowell (Mrs. Richard), both of Alexandria. Survivors include a daughter, Mary Elizabeth Richardson, and son-in-law, Taylor Richardson of Memphis; a son, Wesley Vawter, III, and daughter-in-law, Terry Vawter, of Atlanta; and a granddaughter, Charlotte Elizabeth Vawter, of Atlanta. She also leaves a sister, Doris Luckett Jordan (Mrs. Paul) of Mandeville, Louisiana, and a number of special nieces and nephews. A celebration of Mrs. Vawter’s life will be led by the Rev. Dr. Bradley Gabriel in the Mullins Chapel at 1:30 Tuesday, preceded by a visitation at the church at 12:30. A private service of committal will take place at the Memorial Park Mausoleum. Frances was fun, talented, and a gracious role model who will be greatly missed by family and friends.
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