Mary Frances Goodman Pritchett

Born January 30th, 1933 Died October 31st, 2015

Mary Frances Goodman Pritchett was born during the great depression. She was a “late in life” child and a surprise to both parents and her older brothers. She was to become a “daddy’s girl as he indulged and laughed at her many mischievous moments. Mary Frances excelled in academics and graduated Valedictorian from Beaverdam High School. She was a cheerleader and she was so academically capable that she was promoted several times- graduating at an early age of 16. Upon graduation she was recruited by the FBI; but her mother did not want her to go to Washington, DC as she had just lost her older brother. Mary Frances went to Richmond and attended and graduated from Smithdeal Massey Business College with a Business Degree.

After college, Mary remained in Richmond working during the Korean Conflict, she was dating and on the edge of announcing an engagement, when Charles Pritchett, an Airborne Ranger in Korea and an old friend, came to Richmond to find her. The rest is history. It was a great and old love story and like most love stories there were happy, sad and tragic moments. Their marriage survive d 55 years. They celebrated their 50th Anniversary. Mary and Charles always had chemistry and love for each other. They also had their heated moments and some topics were off limits with one being a Democrat and the other being a Republican; but they were always on the same page about important issues.

God, Jesus, family, education and hard work were what Mary Frances exemplified in her life work and she emphasized this with her children. All six of her children have some college and are graduates. This also holds true for her grandchildren. Mary would quote scriptures and clichés. Her favorites, “Seek you first the kingdom of God”, and “Once a task has once begun never leave it till it’s done” and there is no such thing as “can’t – just get rid of the t “. She indoctrinated her children with values and traditions. She inspired her children to work and excel. She was a compliment and a helpmeet to Charles. They supported each other with raising children and they were in agreement on most things including child raising and discipline. And you knew you had gone beyond lectures and switching when she would say, “You wait until your Father comes home” this was scary because at this point the discipline had gone to a different level.

Mary Frances was an active church member, taught Sunday School for an adult woman’s group and a youth group for many years and every summer taught Bible School at Carmel. She was supportive and active in helping to start the Carmel Church School. She sang in the church choir for years and she and Charles went to Bible Study every Wednesday and Church every Sunday. She always supplemented church suppers and revivals with her renowned culinary skills. Her food was magic and beautiful. Her chocolate pies with perfect meringue, her many different delicious cakes, her fried chicken and homemade biscuits are today still legendary. She took pride in her work and it was obvious. Mary was also an avid gardener and loved and appreciated the beauty of the earth. She grew and cared for yellow, pink and red roses. Her secret was you must clip and share the roses. She helped with the vegetable garden and worked alongside Charles with the yard work. She and Charles would take care of Carmel Church’s lawn and other church projects together. They believed in tithing and God’s blessings and returns for them were abundant. We never had a meal without a prayer of thanks to God.

In addition to being a wife and mother who took pride in her homemaking skills, Mary worked in Richmond as a bookkeeper for a petroleum company, she worked and volunteered for the public schools and she worked for over 15 years for a Christian Radio Station. She volunteered for more than 10 years for 4-H and later became a recognized leader for 4-H in Caroline County. Mary also found time to serve as church secretary and treasurer for many years.

Mary Frances knew her ancestry. She knew her father’s side was English and French and her mother’s side was Irish and English. Mary Frances was proud to say her father’s people came from bluebloods and that they had been given land by the king. She was proud to say her father’s people were related to the old families of Virginia. She would say, “My father’s people were land grant people”. As children we often felt a connection to England as a result. In truth Mary Frances carried a strong resemblance to the now existing old Queen.

Mary loved to read the Bible, collected literature and magazines, and valued books. She loved poetry, quotes and humorous political slants. She loved great comics and would clip, share and save her favorites.

Mary enjoyed and appreciated music. She loved gospel music, old 50’s music, Christmas with Dean and Perry, Bing and Frank and Elvis, as well as Pavarotti. Usually she had the radio, records, and cassettes playing. She enjoyed and appreciated music. She could play most instruments by ear. She could play the guitar, organ, keyboard and piano. She took piano lessons late in life but she was already gifted so it was more for practice and enhancement. She would often sing her favorites such as “What a Friend I have in Jesus”.

Mary and Charles loved their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She would often say “Children are a blessing from God” and found great joy in her family. Mary and Charles made the holidays feel special. With food everywhere, jars of candies, oranges, nuts, homemade fruit cakes, specialty cakes, smoked hams, oysters, pies and beautiful foods shared with family and friends from the community. “Jesus is the reason for the season”, Mary would say. Holidays were grand times to go and participate and help in all Church activities and functions- and to always be shared with family and close friends.

Mary and Charles loved the beach, restaurants and eating out, apple picking, maple syrup festivals, day trips to the mountains, state parks, and fishing. In the outer banks in the 90’s, Mary and Charles frequented family owned restaurants so often the owners would come and greet and sit with them to talk and visit. They had great fun, great times and a great life. They had sadness, deaths and troubles. Charles, as a regimented military officer, was always ready in advance and waiting on Mary. He is no longer waiting for her. Great love survives time.

Mary especially loved God and Jesus and she loved her husband, children and home. She inspired her husband and children to be active Christians and to love and serve the Lord. “I am not a housewife”, she would say, “I am a homemaker.” She reminded her children to live for God, family and to work hard. “Do your best at everything”, she would say.

After Charles’ death, Mary’s health began to fail her and she suffered several mini strokes affecting her abilities and leaving her with progressive dementia. During these difficult times, Mary provided a learning and growing opportunity again for her family to see the challenges, the humor and the beauty of aging.

Mary had a will, desire and a love to live life and her life exemplified the beauty of God, family and work.

“JOY: Jesus, others and then you”, Mary would say.

Mom believed in the resurrection, she always had a strong desire for Christ to return in her lifetime.

Mom: We will see you and Dad and all of our loved ones again in the resurrection.

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

the rains fall soft upon your fields

and until we meet again,

may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

And Jesus said “My PEACE I give you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27

“I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will have life even if they die. And everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. John 11: 25-26

Mom:

We love you.

Until we meet again our dear, beloved, beautiful mother and friend, we will always hold close to our hearts that you were indeed the best mother ever!

In loving memory,

Ellen, Carol, Charles, Michael, Debbie, and John.

"Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console,

To be understood as to understand,

To be loved as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life."