Frances Angelina Wagner

Frances Angelina Derrick Wagner’s love of life did not end with her departure from her earthly home on October 20, 2021. Her legacy of love lives on through her family members and many friends. She joked that the reason for her long life was “I’m not good enough for heaven but not bad enough for hell, so God is leaving me here for now.” All of us that knew her know that she was “good enough” and that after spending a few days visiting with Joe, Jerry, and Roy, she will talk to God about organizing game days for Canasta, Rummikub, Mexican train, and forty-two.

Frances was born January 29, 1922, in Wichita Falls, Texas, to Oscar and Lillian Derrick and had one brother, Oscar Jr. (O.L.). Her father worked in the oil fields and his job moved the family to several small towns in northeast Texas during her early childhood. In her early teens, the family was living in Bogata, Texas where she met her soulmate, Joseph (Joe) Wagner at the Baptist church they attended.

Frances and Joe began their lives as husband and wife June 11, 1939, married in the little Baptist church where they had first met. In 1941, Joe’s job transferred them to New Boston, Texas, where they lived for over 11 years. During that time, the two became six with the addition of four children: Jerry, Mary, Ann, and Roy.

There were two more job transfers, one to Waco and the final to Fort Worth, where Frances and Joe raised their children. The Wagner household was a house filled with love, laughter, and a strong Christian faith. She was a wife, mom, Sunday School teacher and a friend to anyone she met.

On her birthday in 1971, she lost the love of her life to a heart attack. Her strong faith, her children, and wonderful friends, held her up, comforting and encouraging her to begin again. Frances began working, first at Striplings Department Store and then as a cashier at Eckerd’s Pharmacy.

Frances remarried a few years later, and although that marriage was not a lasting union, it brought another child into her life, her stepdaughter, Mary Hart. The relationship between Frances and Mary always remained that of a loving mother and a loving daughter.

Frances had her faith tested in 2007 when she lost her oldest child, Jerry, and again in 2013 when she lost her youngest child, Roy. Although she could not understand why her children were taken, over the years, her faith grew even stronger. She and God spoke daily, on a personal basis, as two close friends would.

As the years flew by, Frances moved into an apartment at Sedona Place Senior Living. She absolutely loved the staff, and the residents became like family to her. Frances was an avid game player, and her competitive nature showed no mercy…she was out to win! She was the oldest resident and, as such, was lavished with attention. Frances was known for her smile, her love of people, and her love of life. She was so excited, when in February, she was chosen as the Valentine Queen of the complex and given a tiara to wear.

One of her favorite sayings to friends and family was, “I’m one blessed lady”. Frances will be deeply missed, and her family and friends feel we are the ones that were blessed to have had her in our lives.

Survivors include: Daughters, Mary Jo and husband Kent; Ann and husband Ron; daughter-in-law, Pam; daughter-in-law, Janis; stepdaughter, Mary Kay and spouse Linda; Grandchildren: Lisa; Kellie; Jeffrey and wife Samantha; Kimberly and husband Chad; Carrie and husband Mickey; Chris; Kyle; Stephanie and husband David; Paul; Patrick; Koby and wife Suzanne; Angela and husband Jim; 11 Great Grandchildren; and 1 Great Great Grandchild.

Family and friends are invited to attend the viewing on Friday, November 5, 2021, from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

At the request of the family, funeral and graveside service attendance will be for family members only. We are providing a virtual service via live stream on YouTube for friends and family members unable to attend. The link will be provided before the service.

Frances had a favorite charity, The Smile Train, and in lieu of flowers, we know she would love to have friends and family donate to this cause.