Frances Ruth Robertson, age 83, of Gadsden, Alabama passed away on Saturday, July 29, 2023.
Frances was the youngest of three daughters born to Lewis Charles and Eva Mae Sineath Darnell of Grey Court, South Carolina.
She graduated from Winthrop College with a degree in French language and pursued post graduate work at McGill University. She furthered her studies at Samford University receiving a master’s degree in English Literature.
She was married to Ed Robertson in 1963 with whom she enjoyed many years together starting a family in Cambridge, Massachusetts before eventually moving to Birmingham. There she was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Birmingham. Her love of France and her travels to Europe brought her great joy and she shared this passion as a teacher of the French language.
She enriched the lives of those around her through her love of poetry, art and painting, gardening, travel, and riding around town on her French Motobecane bicycle. She instilled a love of culture in her children, admittedly with some occasional resistance and lack of success in their mastering French or piano (désolé maman).
Frances was preceded in death by her sister Gaynell Darnell Taylor of Salisbury, TN and Ella Christine Rodgers of Gray Tennessee.
Frances is survived by her daughter Joan Robertson, son Brian Robertson (Laura) and grandchild Reid Robertson who will keep her memory alive in their hearts.
She held great love for her extended family with whom she connected through her fascination with genealogy (long before the internet made it so easy).
As a tribute, the family requests that love and understanding be offered unconditionally to those who suffer from mental illness as well as their friends and families. Her family wishes to extend their appreciation to all of her caregivers including those at Gadsden Health and Rehab.
A graveside service will be held at Crestwood Cemetery on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Mental Health America, Windy Van Hooten Teaching Garden, or the Gadsden Cultural Arts Foundation.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.collier-butler.com for the Robertson family.
