Mrs. Frances Toomer Haywood

She was born February 4, 1933 in Hilton Head, SC, the daughter of the late Mr. Simpson Vanderhorst Toomer and the late Mrs. Suzie Love Toomer. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband; Tommy Joe Haywood on February 24, 1995.

Mrs. Haywood is survived by one son: Thomas D. “Toro” Haywood of Monroe, NC; one daughter: Tonya Rieke and husband Peter of Charlotte, NC; two brothers: Hilton Toomer of Tampa, Florida, Billy Toomer of Hilton Head, SC; one sister: Juanita Kennedy of Charleston, SC; seven grandchildren.

The family will receive friends and relatives for visitation Thursday August 22, 2013 from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM in the Stephenson Presbyterian Church, with services to celebrate her life beginning at 2:00 PM in the Church Sanctuary conducted by the Rev. Keith Morrison, with burial to follow in the church cemetery.

The family suggests that memorials be made to Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 1920 Easy Seventh Street, Charlotte, NC 28204, or to The Alzheimer’s Association, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcewenmonroechapel.com

McEwen Funeral Home and Cremation Service is serving the family of Mrs. Haywood.

•Born on the island of Hilton Head. Not the Hilton Head of today...then it was only accessible by boat or ferry...remote & pristine.

•She was the youngest girl of 7 children, born into a fishing family, with shrimping boats and a processing factory they were a hard working family raised in the unique 'Low Country' & Gullah culture.

•At 19 she enlisted in the US Navy. She met her husband Tommy while in the service.

•After the service she attended Wingate College...education was very important to her.

•They made Monroe their home and had 2 children (see below). She was very involved in the community and in her church - She was strong in her faith and commitment to God.

•That community came to their aid when their house was destroyed by fire in 1967.

•Frances was very involved with her children; running them to & watching them play multiple sports. She even became a substitute teacher for several years while they were in school.

•She was a wonderful housewife, mother and an outstanding cook. She loved to share recipes.

•She loved music, plays, opera, reading, gardening, collecting figurines, and even watching golf on tv.

•She was fiesty, strong, loved to talk, never met a stranger and she was generous to a fault....and never met a clock she could abide by.

•She had several grandchildren and enjoyed being involved with them - to raise, nurture, and help them in anyway she could, whenever or however they needed her.

•She was very social, especially loved sharing meals with family and friends as well as plays, opera, and music of any kind.

•She remained very social throughout her illness, even when words were a challenge, she made it know she wanted to be part of the conversation. That feisty spirit never failed her. She was and will always be MUCH Loved...