Frances May (Mae) Saunders Wyatt, 88, of Waynesville, NC, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 16, 2021.
Frances was born in Macon County on July 9, 1932. She moved to Waynesville as a child with her parents, Wade and Sarah Saunders, her two brothers and her sister, making the Hazelwood community her lifelong home.
Frances was a talented and resourceful person, who spent a great deal of her life helping others. She was the manager of the Hazelwood Elementary Cafeteria for many years, before she became a dental assistant. Frances provided unfailing support to her children and grandchildren. She was a loving, bright soul.
A devout Christian, Frances was an active member of the Hazelwood Baptist Church of Waynesville, NC. Her talent was expressed in many different ways, from floral arrangements and decorations for banquets or church events to painting beautiful picture. Her paintings can be found in the homes of her children and friends.
She was extremely active in the Order of the Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron for Waynesville Chapter, Lodge 165 for three terms (1977-1978; 1997-1998; 2002-2003). After the Waynesville Chapter dissolved, Frances continued with the Eastern Star as member of the Sonoma Chapter located in the Bethel community.
In addition to her parents, Wade and Sarah Saunders, Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Cornelius (Neil) Wyatt and her youngest son, Alan Kim Wyatt; her brothers, Garland Saunders and James Saunders.
She is survived by her sons, Stephen Arnold Wyatt and his wife, Rhonda; Charles (Chuck) Gregory Wyatt; her daughter Donna Karen Grogan and her husband Eugene (Frosty) Grogan; her daughter-in-law, Terry Wyatt, and her sister, Joanna Saunders West and her husband, Richard West.
Frances will be remembered by six grandsons: Jason Wyatt, Joshua Wyatt, Jesse Wyatt, Jacob Wyatt, Luke Wyatt, and Stephen N. M. Wyatt; two granddaughters, Hollie Grogan Rathbone and Sarah Marie Wyatt. She is survived by twelve great-grandchildren: Seth Wyatt, Charlie Wyatt, Alex Wyatt Hannah, Noah Wyatt, Tyler Wyatt, Samantha Wyatt, Jack Wyatt, Fiona Wyatt, Destiny Connelly, Emily Rose Wyatt, Lucas Wyatt, and Christopher Sherrill Rathbone.
Frances was very proud to be the grandmother of two great-great-grandchildren: Liam Wyatt and Jayden Wyatt.
Donations in her memory may be made to Hazelwood Baptist Church,
265 Hazelwood Ave, Waynesville, NC 28786 (828-456-9434)
Garrett Funerals and Cremations is caring for the family of Frances Wyatt. Visit www.garrettfuneralsandcremations.com.
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