Frances Brown Petway

She was born on July 15, 1933, in the Birmingham, Alabama area. She was born Frances Ann Brown, the youngest of three children and only daughter of James Seay and Evelyn Winkle Brown.

Frances grew up in the McDonald’s Chapel community of Jefferson County , Alabama. She attended Minor High School where she was Head Cheerleader, a member of the National Honor Society, never made a “B” only “A”’s and graduated at the top of her class in 1951.

Frances first met David Michael Petway while working in the office of the old Tennessee Coal and Iron Company (now known as U.S. Steel). He was a recent graduate of the University of Alabama. The two fell in love and were married at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on September 2, 1955. They remained married until David’s death on October 11, 1990.

Frances was raised as a Methodist but became a Catholic prior to marrying David. She remained a devout Catholic her whole life belonging to Blessed Sacrament Parish when her family was young, then Saint Peter’s Parish when the family moved to Vestavia Hills.

She rejoined Blessed Sacrament Parish with her eldest son Bruce, his wife Janet, and their young sons in 1998. She later joined Our Lady of Sorrows Parish where she belonged until she passed away. David and Frances had four children: Bruce, Patti, Mike, and Laura.

Anyone who knew Frances knew that her family was the emphasis of her life. Her children meant everything to her. She was as unselfish and loving as a person could be. She was a great cook. Her down-home dishes were legendary among her husband and children. She could make any dish taste good no matter what it was.

Her ability to love and sacrifice knew no bounds. Her great love expanded to 15 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren as time went by. Words can not do justice to the size of Frances’ heart or the depth of her love. She meant so much to all the people in her family.

To the end, Frances lived her life with class, dignity, and kindness. She never expected her family’s time and attention but appreciated it. She was known as Mom, Nana, and G Nana to her crew. Every family member's face would light up at the sight of her when they were young. She meant so much to many people, especially her family.

She will be long remembered and not soon forgotten. Playing board games while babysitting her grandchildren. Attending the ballgames, school events, and concerts of her children and grandchildren. Holiday meals. Her cornbread dressing and giblet gravy at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Everyone in her life was blessed to have known her.

Frances is survived by her eldest son, Bruce (Janet); her son, Mike (Jenny); her daughter, Laura Swiderski; her grandchildren, Brian Petway, Adam Petway, Connor Petway, Coleman Petway, Patrick Drake, Frances Drake, Michelle Drake, Jake Petway, Brady Petway, David Swiderski, Scott Swiderski, Joe Swiderski, Matt Swiderski, and Amy ( Swiderski ) Brown; and her great-grandchildren, Emilia Petway, Harrison Petway, Jackson Swiderski, Abbie Swiderski, Katie Swiderski, Michael Swiderski, Stephen Swiderski, Ellis Swiderski, Emma Brown, Andrew Brown and Riley Brown.

Frances was predeceased in life by her parents, James Seay “Jim” Brown and Evelyn Winkle Brown; her husband, David; her daughter, Patti; her son-in-law, Mike Swiderski; her brothers, James Brown and Bill Brown; and her grandson, David Bruce.

Visitation will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Homewood, Alabama on Friday June 20, 2025 from 10-11 a.m., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. The gravesite committal service will be at Southern Heritage Cemetery, Pelham. Our Lady of Sorrows pastor Father Robert "Bob" Sullivan will say the funeral Mass and officiate at the graveside service.