Frances Salyer Whidden's Obituary
Frances Louise Whidden
Our beloved mother, Frances Louise Whidden passed away April 10, 2021 at the age of 98 at Sycamore Place in Memphis.
She was born January 10, 1923 in Coeburn VA to Cecil Clyde and Etta McConnell Salyer and was raised in Jenkins, KY along with her 8 siblings. She had many fond memories of the time she spent there. After the death of her father, the family moved to Kingsport TN where they lived in a log cabin home on Bloomingdale Rd. She graduated from Sullivan High School and then went to work as a PBX operator at the Mead Cooperation and at United Intermountain Telephone Company.
She met her husband of 57 years, James Hall Whidden on a blind date. They fell in love and married in 1951 and raised 5 children together. Jim’s work as a Transportation Logistics Manager took them to Memphis. She enjoyed playing bridge, bowling in a league at Imperial Bowling Lanes and was a member of Chickasaw Garden Club, several bridge clubs, a Girl Scout leader and a big Memphis State basketball fan. She volunteered at the voting polls and for the March of Dimes. In 1965, she and Jim moved back to Kingsport and lived there for 5 years before returning to Memphis where she reconnected with friends and learned to play Mahjong. She loved watching her sons play sports, visiting her siblings at family reunions and playing any card or board game.
She was a member of Christ United Methodist church and when she could no longer attend she watched the televised service every Sunday. She read the Good News Bible daily and lived her faith by her actions. When Jim became disabled at the age of 78, she lovingly cared for him in the home for 10 years.
Later in life, she loved watching Jeopardy, old movies, especially musicals, and listening to Big Band, Swing and Gospel music. Her biggest disappointment was that none of her children inherited her family’s musical abilities. A good cook and baker, she would not let you leave a meal without getting seconds and agreeing to take home leftovers.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her oldest son, Bill Whidden, her sisters and brothers Reba Salyer and Rosemary Richards, Pierce Salyer and Jack Salyer.
She is survived by her brothers Sidney Salyer (Ruth), Don Salyer, Jimmy Salyer (Keiko) and Bill Salyer and her children, Andy Whidden and wife, Gene, Margaret Ellis and husband Robert, David Whidden and wife Debbie, and Jimmy Whidden, grandchildren, Kristen DeJesus (Carlos Arango) , John Whidden (Kim), Matthew Whidden, Rob Ellis, Trey Whidden, Ava Rose Whidden and Kate Whidden and great-grandchildren, Drew DeJesus, Isla Whidden and Knox Whidden, her niece Lynette Pearson (George) of Memphis and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Pallbearers will be her sons, grandsons and great-grandsons.
The family wishes to thank the care givers, nurses and staff at Sycamore Place for the loving care they gave our Mother.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, April 15 at 11:00 a.m. with a graveside service to follow at 12:00 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN, 38119. (901) 767-8930
Memorials may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the charity of your choice.
The family hopes you will enjoy a generous slice of chocolate cake with fudge icing in her memory.
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