Frances Ruth Darby

Frances Ruth McBride Darby, 102, passed away January 16, 2024 in Austin, Texas.

Frances was born October 24, 1921 in Dallas, Texas. She married Dillon O’Neal Darby and had three children. She worked many years for Dallas ISD as an administrative assistant.

She was preceded in death by parents Hugh Lee and Mary Lavinia McBride, siblings Hugh Lee McBride Jr., Nellene Coffee, and Doris Stafford, children Karen Davila and Neal Darby. She is survived by her daughter Diane Hill, grandchildren Shane, Amelinda, Nathanael, Delia, and Darby, and great-grandchildren Melanie, Mallory, Jenna, Erika, Hannah, Marissa, Lynnea, Kaya, and Skander.

After her children grew up Frances earned an associates degree. She became vice president of her Toastmasters Club chapter and traveled to Alaska with her niece. She had many friends at work who remained lifelong friends. In her 90’s she took part in a study of the ability of older adults to learn new skills. She learned to use an Ipad and wrote her life story. She was the oldest in the class, but she was the star pupil.

Frances loved sewing and crafts. She made her daughters lovely dresses and created her own dolls which she sold at Christmas. She was an excellent cook and loved to try new recipes.

Frances was a brave, kind, generous woman with boundless energy who not only worked and raised her own children but babysat with her niece who had cerebral palsy, her nephews, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. She loved them, and they loved her.

It was hard for Frances to leave her friends and relatives in Dallas at age 97, but she chose to be near her daughter in Austin. At age 97 she still drove. She read 50 books her first year in Austin. She was happy to see her grandchildren and great-grandchildren more often. She lived to celebrate her 102nd birthday with her family, was able to enjoy their company and able to walk on her own. She walked so fast on her walker that her daughter had to run to keep up with her. She is greatly missed by her family.

Visitation will be held Saturday, January 27 from noon-3 pm at Grove Hill Memorial Park, 3920 Samuell Blvd., Dallas, TX 75228, ph. 214-381-7118.