Frances Marie Taglialavore King of Gun Barrel City, Texas formally of Dublin, Texas passed from this earth on January 13, 2019 in Mabank, Texas. Frances was born December 26, 1920 to Italian Immigrant parents, Vincent and Carmela Taglialavore. Brothers, baby Leonard, adult Leonard, and Thomas Taglialavore, and sisters, Antoinette (Antonia) Melchione and Marie Freeland, preceded her in death, as well as her husband of 56 years, Loyd Lee King whose death was in 2000.
Frances is survived by her daughters, Stella and her husband, James (Jim) Cathey and Carmela and her husband, Dr. Damon Stephen. She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Frances Walker and her husband, Bradford (Brad), Dr. James (Jimmy) Cathey and his wife Carol, Kyra Tracy and her husband Clay, Dr. Aaron Loyd Stephen and his wife Dr. Amy. She will be missed by great-grandchildren, Whitney Harper and her husband Jeff, Patrick Walker and his wife Sarah, Weston, Easton, Rachel, Jared, and Sara, Kaylee, Ashlynn, Ava, Katie, Brody, Blake, Boone, Brock, Jeromy, Isis and Ariel; and great-great grandchildren, Tyler and Camryn. She will be missed by her sisters-in-law, Marie Taglialavore, Blanche Weems, and Gayle King, as well as, many nieces and nephews and friends who have loved her dearly especially the O’Connor family.
Growing up during the depression, Frances was the only one in her family to graduate from high school. She worked at the cosmetic counter at Neuman's Department store after graduation. During World War ll, she served as Air Raid Warden for her block in Elizabeth, New Jersey. It was her duty to be sure that there was no light in the neighborhood during air raid practices to help protect Eastern Sea Board from enemy attack. Her Air Raid Warden arm band and cap and are among her treasures.
A summer rain brought Loyd, an army sergeant stationed at Fort Monmouth, and Frances together as they sought shelter in a Penny Arcade at Long Branch Beach in New Jersey. Frances loved telling their “love at first sight” story. They courted during the war years. A massive hemorrhage from a stomach ulcer prevented Loyd from joining his gear already loaded on a boat destined for the war in Germany. Loyd’s illness led to an earlier than planned discharge. They were married in May of 1944 and soon afterward made their home in Dublin.
Her bookkeeping and secretarial skills gained in high school were valuable in serving the American Legion Auxiliary as secretary-treasurer for many years. Just as she could be counted on to sell poppies for the American Legion, she readily made cookies, pecan pies, and Italian bread to meet community, school, or church service needs. Her home was open to everyone, including the hobos, who knocked at the young Frances’ kitchen door and were served at her dining room table. There was always cake to serve with coffee as she welcomed visitors.
Frances and Loyd took loving care of the little St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dublin and its grounds from young to no longer young. They also provided comfort and Sunday meals to priests who traveled to Dublin to say Mass. Frances sang in the choir, kept the church floors shining, and the altar cloths crisply ironed. She decorated the altar with flowers from her home. She took care of the church collection for many years. She served as Eucharistic Minister, Sunday school teacher, and president of the St. Mary’s Altar Society. Frances cared for and nursed the sick and elderly in their homes and in the rest homes. She walked great distances, if necessary, to minister to them often taking them her healing, Italian bread.
Frances worked as a checker at Courtney Grocery in Dublin. Later, she worked at Wall's Real Estate and Art Center. There, she developed her artistic abilities and became a wonderful artist. She loved to paint roses. She also painted landscapes which often included bluebonnets. In addition to oil painting, she enjoyed china painting. Those works are also beautiful.
Frances was a meticulous housekeeper and a fine seamstress. She made clothes for herself and for her daughters including their wedding gowns. She crocheted and knitted afghans and tablecloths. She hand stitched quilts on a frame hung from the ceiling. She canned food in jars. She filled her freezer with fruits, vegetables and pecans from their property and shared them generously. Always living frugally, she helped Loyd in every project including tearing down a house to get lumber and nails to add a family room for their home. As they built that room, they included a limestone fireplace and chimney made with rocks that they hand- cut themselves.
Frances was the heart of what grew to be a very large family that gathered every year to celebrate the birth of Jesus and her December 26th birthday. At family gatherings, she served Italian spaghetti with meatballs, and chunks of beef and pork that had simmered in her delicious sauce. She also made pepperoni pizza and double-crusted meat pizza and everyone’s favorite foods. She always served her homemade Italian bread. Great-grandchildren named the bread, “Granny Bread.”
Frances lived in Dublin for almost sixty years before moving to Gun Barrel City to be near family. In her new neighborhood, she again shared her Italian bread, especially as she ministered to those who were ill. As always, she was ready and eager to be helpful. She lived in her own home until she was 94, and made her Italian Granny bread until she was 95.
Frances loved the Lord, loved her husband, loved her family, and her friends. She loved her church. She loved this country. She and Loyd valued education and wished that they could have had more schooling. They encouraged and helped with extended education. As a result, they were given a plaque and made Honorary Aggies by their Aggie children. Loyd and Frances lived their individual lives and their collective life in a way worthy of emulating.
For those wishing to give memorials, please consider making contributions to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, St. Jude Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, or Wounded Warrior’s Project.
