Frances Waldby

Frances Lowe Waldby, 90, of Tallahassee, FL, passed away Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at Westminster Oaks. She was born on March 30, 1921 to Earl Fred and Annie Bell Lowe in Elon College, NC. Frances, her twin-brother Fred and older brother Russell spent their childhood years in Altamahaw-Ossipee, NC. She attended the University of North Carolina Women's College where she received a degree in English and a master's in Library Science. Upon graduation, she spent the war years in Washington, DC, working with the US Signal Corps deciphering codes. She later worked in libraries at the University of North Carolina and Georgia Tech. While at Georgia Tech, Frances met her future husband, the late Robert E. Gibson, with whom she had four children: Lynda, Debbie, Gordon and Renee. She and Robert married in June of 1948 and settled in Bartow, FL. The family briefly relocated to St. Petersburg until making Tallahassee their home in 1965, where Robert practiced law and Frances began her career as a stockbroker.

In 1973, Frances married Thomas Lewis, a retired professor from Florida State University. Married until Tom's death in 1994, they enjoyed an active retirement playing bridge, golf and traveling extensively. She began her volunteer activities, working as a Pink Lady at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital for more than twenty years. She was an active member ot Trinity Methodist for almost 40 years.

In April 1995, she married Hubert Odell Waldby, also a retired professor from FSU. They enjoyed their sunset years together with more bridge, golf, and travel, as well as new friendships with neighbors at Hunters Crossing and their later retirement community of Westminster Oaks.

Frances had a winning smile and a great sense of humor. She shared her warmth and support with family and friends alike, and cherished time spent with her children and granddaughter. Independent to the end, this spirited lady was a great inspiration. She was valedictorian of her high school class, learned to fly a plane at age 39, became a stockbroker before many women ventured into the field, and raised three monkeys along with four kids. By loving example, she showed her family there were no limits to their aspirations.

Frances is survived by her loving husband, Odell Waldby; her four children, Lynda Gibson of Crawfordville, FL and friend, Charley Ingle; Debbie Gibson of Tallahassee, FL, Gordon Gibson of Orlando, FL, and Renee Gibson and son-in-law Alex Allen of Annandale, NJ; a stepdaughter, Debbie Larios, husband Steve, and daughter, Sarah of Nashville, TN; and granddaughter, Lorin Brand of Tallahassee, FL. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.

Her family gratefully acknowledges the support and loving care she received during this last year and a half from the nurses and staff of Dr. Viral Bhanderi and Dr. Hardeep Singh, the Angie Deeb Cancer Center, the Margaret Z. Dozier House at Big Bend Hospice, and especially the loving staff at Westminster Oaks Health Center.

Visitation hours will be Saturday, March 31 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Culley's Meadow Wood Funeral Home, 1737 Riggins Road. A memorial service will be held Sunday, April 1 at 4:00 PM in the Maguire Center at Westminster Oaks. In lieu of flowers, a remembrance donaion to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308, would be appreciated.

Arrangements are under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home in Tallahassee, Florida.