Mattie Mae Francis

Mattie Mae Francis Mrs. Mattie Mae Francis, age 97 of Wharton died Monday, April 23, 2012, at a Wharton nursing center following an extended illness. She was born on May 1, 1914, in Ovala, Texas the daughter of the late Edward Meadows and Minnie Lou Triplett Meadows. Mattie was raised in the Praire Lea area and attended high school there. She graduated from Southwest Teachers College in San Marcos and joined the Civil Service in time for World War II. She taught servicemen at Alamogordo Airforce Base during this time. On September 9, 1945, she was married to Mr. Chester Raymond Francis, Jr. in Charleston, South Carolina. He preceded her in death on August 17, 1993. Mrs Francis was a long time resident of Wharton. Shortly after moving to Wharton, she and her husband owned and operated the Milam Motel and the Dinnette cafe. They also started the Kwik Kar Wash and General Sales Co.. Mattie remained active after the closing of these businesses by being in the Daughters of the American Revolution for over forty years, the United Methodist Women, and was very active in her church, First United Methodist in Wharton. She also enjoyed needlepoint and starting collections for her children and grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Lou Gresham, and brothers, John, George, Edward and twin brother Mack. She was also preceded in death by her son in law, Herbie Dittmar. Visitation was held from 6 til 8 pm Wednesday evening at the chapel of the Wharton Funeral Home. Funeral services were held on Thursday, April 26, 2012, at 10 am at First Unted Methodist Chruch with Rev. Don Storey officiating. Burial followed in the Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery in Wharton. Survivors include her daughter, Laura Dittmar of Wharton and son, Marshall Francis and wife, Carolyn of Wharton, grandchildren, Wesley, Aaron, and Steven Dittmar, Shawn Bishop, and Heather Bishop, great grandchildren, Jamonique Florence and Aspen Skye Bishop. Pallbearers were Wesley Dittmar, Aaron Dittmar, Steven Dittmar, John Williams, Bob Stokes, Frank Miska and David Pagel. The family wishes that memorial cortributions be made to the First United Methodist Church, 1717 Pioneer, Wharton, Texas 77488.