Frances B Sturgis

Frances B. Sturgis September 13, 1915 May 22, 2009 Frances B. Sturgis passed away peacefully May 22, 2009, at St. Catherine's Center with her family at her side. A private graveside service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery on Wednesday, May 27, followed by a memorial service at First Presbyterian Church at 10:30 a.m. The family will receive visitors from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Tuesday, May 26, at First Presbyterian Church. Frances Burnett Sturgis was born Sept 13, 1915, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George J. Burnett. Her mother, Laura Yates Burnett, grew up in Waco, and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R.O. Rounsavall, who owned Waco Female College, one of Waco's earliest private schools. Mrs. Sturgis' mother was an art professor and a professional portrait painter, as well as an accomplished vocalist and poet. Mrs. Sturgis' father was a professor of Latin, Greek and mathematics, and served as president of two Baptist colleges. Mr. Burnett was also Vice-President of the Southern Baptist Convention at one time. After graduating from high school in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Mrs. Sturgis attended Mars Hill College in Asheville, North Carolina, and completed her college education at Baylor University, graduating with degrees in English and Education. While at Baylor, Frances met her husband of 64 years, Carroll White Sturgis. They married in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, in 1937, and made Waco their home. Their marriage was characterized by 64 years of love and devotion. Mrs. Sturgis loved Waco, and was actively involved in numerous church and civic activities. She was a Deacon and Elder of First Presbyterian Church, where she also served as Program Coordinator for several years. She was a dedicated Sunday School teacher, and was President of Women of the Church. Mrs. Sturgis briefly taught Civics at Richfield High School, and sought to instill her love of community in her students. Among her many civic activities, Mrs. Sturgis served as President of the Junior League of Waco, Chairman of the Art Center Board of Trustees, President of the YWCA, President of Waco Literary Club, Chairman of the Brazos River Festival, officer of the Waco Symphony Women's Council, Chairman of the Women's Division of United Way, Board Member of Historic Waco Foundation, and member of the Waco City Council. In 1979 Mrs. Sturgis, inspired by Lady Bird Johnson's emphasis on beautification and an editorial in the Waco Tribune Herald, asked several civic leaders for their support and the Greater Waco Beautification Association was formed. In 1980 the organization incorporated and became Keep Waco Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and Keep Texas Beautiful. In addition to founding Keep Waco Beautiful, Mrs. Sturgis served as President of Keep Texas Beautiful. Under her leadership the staff and over 11, 000 volunteers of Keep Waco Beautiful have spearheaded over one hundred environmental and beautification projects in the Greater Waco Community, including Indian Spring Park, Miss Nellie's Pretty Place, and Heritage Square. Keep Waco Beautiful honored Mrs. Sturgis by dedicating its 25th anniversary celebration to her, and joined by a number of supporters, they generously honored both Mr. and Mrs. Sturgis by naming the fountain in front of City Hall the Carroll and Frances Sturgis Fountain. Mrs. Sturgis received numerous awards during her lifetime; among them: The Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson Award for Beautification this award is given annually in Washington, D.C. to a woman who demonstrates outstanding leadership in promoting Keep America Beautiful's mission; the Texas Society of Architects Citation of Honor; Distinguished Alumnus of Mars Hill College; McLennan County Bar Association's Liberty Bell Award, and The Madison Cooper Award. She has also been recognized by Altrusa Club, and Baylor University's Laurel Chapter of Mortar Board. The Junior League of Waco honored her by creating the Frances Sturgis Training Award of Excellence, and she was named a YWCA Pathfinder and Honorary Member of Waco Rotary Club. Mrs. Sturgis was always grateful for the overwhelming financial and volunteer support of so many fellow Wacoans who also share the vision of making Waco a cleaner, healthier, safer and more beautiful place. She will be remembered as a gracious lady who loved her family and community, and who gave generously of her time and talents to the betterment of Waco. She was preceded in death by her parents, Laura and George Burnett; her husband, Carroll W. Sturgis; sisters, Ellen Cavitt, Mary Finley, Florence Alden, and their husbands; and sister-in-law, Anna Sturgis Jeanes. Left to cherish her memory are daughter, Elinor Davis and husband, JP, of Waco; son, Carroll W. Sturgis, Jr. and wife, Lois, of McAllen; her seven grandchildren: Laura Sturgis Patterson and husband, Joel, Carroll White Sturgis, III, Diana Davis Smith and husband, Tim, Fran Sturgis Lucero and husband, Horacio, John A. Davis, Danae Sturgis, and Hunter Sturgis; as well as nine great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, J. Harry Jeanes of Waco; nephew, Sheridan Cavitt of Canyon Lake; and many devoted friends. Pallbearers are John A. Davis, Carroll W. Sturgis, III, Dr. Bill Falco, David George, Dr. Bob Grayson, Dr. Todd Moffatt, Dr. Ross Reagan, and David Smith. Honorary pallbearers are Howard Dudgeon, III, Michael Goldenberg, Harry Harelik, Edgar B. Jablonowski, E.L. Jones, III, Dr. Gene Murff, Hal Stringer, and the Staff and Board of Keep Waco Beautiful. The family is grateful to the staff of St. Elizabeth/St. Catherine and to loyal caregivers Pauline, Olivia, Mary, Margaret, Crystal, and Rose; and extends heartfelt thanks to Dr. Ross Shipp and Waco Internal Medicine Associates; Dr. Dick Kannwischer; and Dr. Bob Grayson. The family would like to suggest memorial contributions to First Presbyterian Church, 1100 Austin Ave., Waco, TX 76701, Keep Waco Beautiful, Box 1493, Waco, TX 76701, or charity of choice in lieu of flowers. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey