Frances "Tootsie" Albea Clary, 1924-2013

     My Great-Aunt Tootsie (Frances Ninola Albea Clary) passed away yesterday.  I remember her as a happy, upbeat woman, well loved by her family.  She grew up in mill villages in Greenwood and Greenville, South Carolina. As a young teen, she was in a car accident that resulted in her being pronounced dead and credited her mother's prayers with her survival.  She married her husband, Doyle, only two weeks after they met and just before he went into the army for World War II.  She celebrated the end of the war with her husband in Downtown Atlanta. She was active in her church and devoted to her community there.

     Here is her obituary, from the Thomas McAfee Funeral Home website:

    "Frances A. Clary, 88, of Greenville, died Thursday, January 24, 2013. Mrs. Clary was a member of Brandon Baptist Church. She served as a Sunday School Teacher, GA leader, WMU, Director and Treasurer Of Joy Group.
     Surviving are two daughters, Linda Pannell, and Tracey Ligon and husband, Richard; a son, Ray Clary and wife, Sandra; eleven grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; 8 great-great grandchildren; and a sister, Marie Wingard.
     She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Doyle Lloyd Clary. Visitation will be held Sunday, January 27, 2013 from 1:30 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Northwest. The funeral service will follow in the Chapel at 3:00 p.m. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery West.”