Frances Satterwhite

Margaret Frances Tidwell Satterwhite April 13, 1919 – February 17, 2015 Frances Tidwell was born in Winfield, Titus County, Texas to Jim and Zora Brown Tidwell. Very soon they moved to the Texas Panhandle. The daughter of cotton farmers, Frances grew up quickly, working hard as a field hand alongside her father. At age 12 her mother died, leaving her responsible for the home. At 12 she was also a mule skinner, responsible for her own team of four mules. She was an outstanding student who also excelled in sports. Frances graduated high school at age 15 and at 19 graduated from West Texas State Teacher’s College in Canyon, Texas. From a small child, she had always dreamed of being a teacher and was one by age 20, where she met her future husband, her principal, Nolon Satterwhite, from Diana, Texas. During the war years, she taught while Nolon worked supporting the war effort as a security guard at a munitions plant. First child, Sandra, was born in Texarkana, Texas and then the family moved to Orange, where he worked in the shipyards, and Frances taught. After the war they moved to Marshall where she taught at Van Zandt Elementary. They then moved to Judson where son, Sam, was born in 1951. Frances taught at Judson Middle School for 34 years being named LISD Teacher of the Year in 1976. After the death of her husband in 1981 and retiring in 1986, she traveled extensively and loved watching her grandchildren and great children grow up. She also was a partner in the family cattle business. She was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Judson, where she taught the same Sunday School Class for 50 years. Frances took the adversities of life in stride, never complaining about anything. She was an amazing cook, artist, and mentor. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two brothers, and a sister. Frances is survived by daughter, Sandra and husband Vernon Stanley; son, Sam Satterwhite and wife Travonda; sister, Sue Boehning; sister-in-law, Vada King; grandchildren Clay and wife, Angela Stanley; Monty and wife, Alice Stanley; Sherry and husband, Jon Hillis; Christi and husband, Alan Amos; Nick and wife, Kelley Satterwhite; and Lindsey Satterwhite. Great grandchildren Cole and Harper Stanley; Lane, Clay “Tato”, and Lee Stanley; Reagan and Blake Hillis; Porter and Tate Satterwhite; and Cason Amos. She leaves numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends and former students. The family especially appreciates the love and constant care given by Marie Powell, Pam Watson, Jennifer Leuschner, and Gertrude Duncan. Enough good cannot be said about Heart’sWay Hospice, and especially Staci Griffith, RN; Aleshia Fatherree, LVN; and Phillip Hodson, Chaplain.

Frances Satterwhite

April 13, 1919 - February 17, 2015