Frances Morgan White Rhoades Nowell Oakley, July 20, 1922 – October 24, 2024.
Preceded in death by her parents, John McKinstry White and Mary Alice Randle White; brothers: John, Arthur, William and Allison, Sisters: Laura White, Mabel Craig, and Mary Alice Dodson; Husbands: Stanley A. Rhoades; Hubert Riley Nowell; F. Warren Oakley; Beloved daughter, Lucy Anne Rhoades, granddaughter Laura Jane Smith.
Survivors are Daughter, Mary Frances Smith (Ken); Sons: Andy Rhoades (Nancy), Jack Rhoades (Pam); Step-daughters: Bobbi Nowell Walton (Johnny) and their family; Florence O. Box (Larry), Mary Sue O. Hawkins, Frances O. McDavid (Sammy); Step-sons William Oakley (Stanthia) and Robert Oakley (Sue) and their families. 9 Grandchildren; 25 Great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild.
Frances attended Starkville Public Schools and after graduating from Starkville High School in 1940, she attended Mississippi State College for Women and then Mississippi State College. She worked at Mississippi State University, first employed in the Extension Center and then at the Longest Student Health Center where she was the Office Manager. She retired in 1985. She also previously worked for 12 years as Secretary at the First Presbyterian Church in Starkville. Frances greatly enjoyed traveling and visited all the States except Alaska. She also traveled to Canada, England, Wales, Belgium and Switzerland. Each year whenever possible, she traveled to Monteagle, TN where she had spent her summers as a child. In 2021, her family celebrated her 99th birthday with her at the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly, revisiting the places she loved.
A life-long resident of Starkville, Frances moved to Madison, MS in 2014 after the death of her daughter Lucy. She was blessed to be a resident of Sunnybrook Estates where she enjoyed the kindness and care of the staff of Sunnybrook, the director Julia Edwards, and friends Jannie Ford and Evon Perkins. The family is grateful for all the blessings she received during these years in Madison. She also appreciated it, although her heart was always in Starkville. The family is grateful for the ministry of the amazing people of The Baptist Hospice.
Frances was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Starkville. She attended Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church with her family in Madison, MS. Frances had a large family which continued to expand over the years. They were a great joy to her. The last of her generation, she enjoyed keeping up with not only her own family but nieces, nephews and children’s children. She became the family historian and made many connections with her White grandmother’s relatives. Thanksgiving continued to be celebrated with her Randle Family whenever they were able to gather. Frances had a long and wonderful life. She was faithful and loved well. Her love and faithfulness had a life changing impact on her family.
Graveside services will be held at Oddfellows Cemetery on Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord” Revelation 14:13.
