Frances Rosell Lewis

FRANCES ROSELL LEWIS went home to the Lord, Sept. 8, 2013 from Legend Oaks, Gladewater, Upshur Co., TX. Born July 5, 1915, in Florence, TX, she succumbed to pneumonia at age 98. She and her sister, Dorothy Beckham, moved to the Longview TX area from Florence, TX, to be near her brother, Dr. Harvey Lewis, his wife, Rhea, and other family about 12 years ago. FRANCES LEWIS was the eldest of three children born to a farmer, Harvey D. and Rosell Lewis. A hometown girl, having attended all 12 years at Florence, she was 1932 Valedictorian. She received a BA in English/Elementary Ed. in 1936 from Mary-Hardin Baylor, then "Baylor-Belton". Frances never married and taught 44 years, retiring in 1980. She enjoyed 2nd graders for 30 years. Speaking of her retirement, she said," In many ways, it seems I am ending as I began. I had 15 students the first year I came, and I had 15 my last year. We went almost a full circle in learning. First, it was all individualized, then everything was in groups, and now we are back to individuals again. We also went to phonics, to no phonics, and to phonics again. Being a teacher has changed, too. In earlier times, teachers were scrutinized by the community and had to live by a stricter set of rules than the rest of the people. We were expected to always go to church, have no bad habits, and even provide the music at funerals for people we didn"t even know! We were the school janitors; there was no indoor plumbing. For the first time since I"ve started teaching, I"ve had an air-conditioned classroom. I"ve gone from rags to riches!" Her wealth of knowledge, along with the grace and unflappable dignity she consistently exhibited, endeared her to each of the generations she taught. She was a friend who could always be trusted. "Miss Frances", the red-haired beauty who literally spent her life benefitting her family and community is a treasure worth remembering. Active in Xi Chapter, Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority, Georgetown, she was also a member of Texas State Teachers Association and Retired Teachers Association while in Florence. She was a church historian, the church organist, and an active member of the Alathean Sunday Class at First Baptist Church, Florence. Fondly remembered by her sister-in-law, Rhea, a nephew and nieces with their children, and friends, she was always generous, a gracious hostess, and family photographer who carefully documented events in albums. A resident at Legend Oaks, Gladewater Texas, since 2004, Frances enjoyed excellent care as did her sister and brother. The Lewis family wishes to acknowledge the facility"s fine service. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Harvey D. Lewis, Jr., and sister, Dorothy Beckham. MEMORIALS: Eula Hunt Beck Florence Public Library, PO Box 430, Florence TX 76527,