Mary Frances Bond

8/8/27 – 12/24/15

Mary Frances Bond passed away peacefully on Christmas Eve, 2015 with her sons at her side and is now in Heaven.

Mary Frances was born on August 8, 1927 in Asheville, N.C. and grew up in several southern cities in North and South Carolina and Virginia, before making Jacksonville her home. She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1945.

She is pre-deceased by her former husband, Edward Bryant (Mike) Bond, her dear grandson Michael Bryant Bond, brother Harris T. Remley, and her best friend Gene Roberts. She is survived by her sons, Michael E. “Mike” Bond and Robert H. “Bob” Bond and his wife Chrissy, grandchildren John Bond, Kathryn Bond, James Bond and Lily Bond, nephews Bill Remley and Richard Remley and nieces Nancy Thompson, Nancy Andrews, Kathy Burgess and Patricia Smith.

Mary Frances loved the Lord and had a zest for life. When her boys were young, she would pack seven or eight boys in her Plymouth Barracuda for trips to the beach or Kingsley Lake. She loved playing piano and her ukulele and singing.

She received her AA degree with practically straight A’s from Florida Junior College in 1985 at age 58! She was proud of her children and grandchildren and would introduce them to perfect strangers. “Granny Bond”, as her grandchildren called her, was a marvelous piano player and often performed for neighbors. This love of music passed on to her grandchildren. She bragged about her driving, which was a real hoot to the kids.

Mary Frances was one of a kind and always brought excitement to family gatherings. Her biggest goals in life were to make sure her children and grandchildren ate the right foods and loved the Lord. She was a political advocate and strong conservative.

We will miss Granny Bond greatly, and will always think of her love for culture, manners, old movies and old songs, and the good old days.

From her loving sons, “Thanks, Mama, for always wanting the best for us.”