Frances Mae (Wilson) Smith, age 72, departed this life on Sunday, July 24, 2022 surrounded by family and friends at her home in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Frances was born January 3, 1950 in Guthrie to Willie James and Nannie Francis (Gordon) Wilson.
Frances lived in Guthrie all her life. She attended Guthrie Public Schools and graduated from Guthrie High School in 1968. She prepared for her career at Paul’s Beauty College in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma from which she graduated in 1969. Frances graduated on a Friday and went to work the next day at Hill Park Beauty Shop. She did 18 hairdos on her first day of work because this was the Saturday before Easter. She opened Pat’s and Frances’ Beauty Shop on January 1, 1974. This later became Frances’ Beauty Shop until it closed in 2015. Her career as a beautician spanned 46 years.
When asked what she was most proud of in her life, she replied it was her time as a resident at the Masonic Children’s Home. She regarded that as a “pleasant adventure” and for four or five years after leaving, she sometimes wished she were still there or could go back there. She felt she wouldn’t have made it without “the Home”.
Frances married Leonard Franklin Smith on September 3, 1970. They had a daughter, Lorrie Ann Smith and two sons, Eric Michael Smith and David Ryan Smith.
Frances is preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Franklin Smith; her daughter, Lorrie Ann Smith; her parents, Willie James and Nannie Francis (Gordon) Wilson; and her brother, Billie Joe Wilson.
She is survived by her sons, David Ryan Smith of the home, Eric Michael Smith of Newcastle, OK; and her grandsons, Noah Paul Smith and Ryan Franklin Smith also of Newcastle. She is also survived by two brothers, Earl James Wilson of Duncan, Oklahoma and LeeRoy Wilson and wife, Bonnie of Tennessee; and one sister, Mary Lou (Wilson) Smith and husband, Curtis of Crescent, Oklahoma. Frances also leaves behind her loving companion, her precious dog Zeus.
Frances was a friend to many people and always sought to help her friends and clients. She also involved her sons in helping others. Her family and friends remember her as loving, strong, and hard working. She never met a stranger and was fully committed to her friends. She was loyal and enthusiastic about life. She was upbeat and a delight to be around. Frances enjoyed listening to her windchimes and watching butterflies. She was also capable of serious discussions of religious and philosophical topics. She was a member of the Free Methodist Church in Guthrie.
Memorial services for Frances will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, August 5, 2022 at Remnant Church, 2405 West Noble Avenue, Guthrie with Robin Grueser and Greg Gibson-Baily officiating. Services are under the direction of Smith-Gallo Funeral Home, 220 North 1st St, Guthrie, Oklahoma 73044.
Visitation for Frances will be held Friday, July 29, 2022 from 2:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. with the family present from 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. to receive guests at Smith-Gallo Funeral Home.
Friends may sign the online guestbook at www. smithgallo.com.