Frances Williams Tomlinson

Frances Williams Tomlinson died peacefully on July 29, 2011 in San Angelo, Texas following a lengthy illness. She was born on June 17, 1924 in Atlanta, Georgia and grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. After attending the University of Alabama and receiving a bachelor’s degree in psychology, she was employed as a county social worker in Florence, Alabama. There she met William Phillip Tomlinson, the son of her supervisor, when he stopped by the office to take his mother to lunch. She and Phil later married. The union lasted 59 years, until his death in 2009. Frances was a social worker for Midland County before moving to Roswell, New Mexico, where she raised her family. While there, she served for a time as president of the local chapter of the American Association of University Women. On returning to Midland, she became a librarian for Midland County, and later worked as a head librarian at the now-closed Centennial Branch Library at Midland Park Mall until her retirement. Frances enjoyed bridge, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and singing in Sweet Adelines. She was an avid and knowledgeable baseball fan and was a particular fan of the Chicago Cubs, which was a testament to her resilient nature. She was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church for many years. Frances was a good neighbor, with a kind and generous spirit. She was a friend to everyone she met and seldom had an unkind word about anyone. She taught her children only the rudiments about fashion, cooking, and housecleaning, but everything about integrity, honesty, compassion for others, and taking joy in your work. She will be missed. She is survived by three sisters: Dorothy Holman and Doris Lee of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Mary Cifarelli of Massapequa, New York. She is also survived by her children and their families: Helen and her husband Robert Hewell of San Angelo, and their children, Will Hewell of San Angelo, and Aqua Dakota of Sydney, Australia; Amy and her husband Terry Abernathy of Oklahoma City, and their children and grandchildren, Benjamin, Laura, and Madalyn Abernathy of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Anna and David Haiar of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Susan Tomlinson and her husband Walter Schaller of Lubbock, Texas; and John and his wife Melissa Yates Tomlinson of Manassas, Virginia. The family would like to express their thanks to Diane Luckett, Esther Hohn, Bobbie Walker and Bernice Crow at Royal Estates, Meadow Creek Nursing Home, and Lighthouse Hospice, all of San Angelo, and Grace Presbyterian Church, of Midland. The family will receive friends on Friday, August 5, 2011 at Ellis Funeral Home from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Funeral service will be held at 9:00 am Saturday, August 6, 2011 at the Grace Presbyterian Church. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. Arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home. Condolences may be offered at www.ellisfunerals.com.