Frances Orr

Frances was born December 9, 1921 to Arthur Clarence and Jewell Mowery in Waxahachie, Texas. She was the oldest of 6 children and the only remaining sibling. Her father was a Baptist minister and she spent her childhood in various areas of Texas and Oklahoma, graduating High School in Devol Oklahoma in 1939.

She entered Cameron College in Lawton, Oklahoma in the fall of 1940. One day while in the cafeteria line she noticed a tall good looking football player. Although she had no interest in football, she was interested in him. At the same time, this tall good looking football player noticed her and arranged to meet her through a mutual friend. Although she played “hard to get” and rejected his first request for a date, he was determined and she was relieved when he asked her out again. This time she said yes. Then a few months later when Carl Orr asked her to marry him, again she said yes. Her father was inviting everyone to their wedding. However, they wanted to keep it small and simple so they eloped on September 8, 1941 in Oklahoma City.

They settled down in Lawton, Oklahoma until World War II, where they were stationed in Ft. Sumner, New Mexico. After the war, Carl and Frances relocated to Oklahoma City before moving to Edmond, Oklahoma in 1964. There they raised their family and loved living in Edmond.

After graduating from Central State College in Edmond in 1964, Frances began teaching elementary school. A few years later she received a Masters Degree in reading from Central State. She had hundreds of first and second grade students over the 20 years she taught, and loved each and every one of them; especially the ornery boys (Must have reminded her of the love of her life). She was a wonderful teacher who was passionate about teaching children to read.

In 1942 Frances gave birth to Carla Sue, who only survived a few months. In 1955 they adopted Carl Jr., who passed away in 2003. Debbie was adopted and brought home directly from the hospital in 1956. In 1979 Carl Jr. gave Frances her first grandchild, Katie. Katie married Brad Hall in 1997 and they have two children, Burgandi and Justin. Debbie married Terry Henderson in 1975 and gave Frances two grandsons, Matt and Jared. Matt married Leann in 2005 and they have two children, Evie and Liam. Jared married Sara in 2007 and they are expecting their first child Emma the first part of November. In July, 2010 they moved to League City, Texas to be close to their daughter, Debbie.

Frances loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. When they came to visit, she was often found in the bedroom playing with the grandchildren instead of visiting with the adults. As a young girl she learned to play the piano for her father’s church. She loved to play and continued to play the old hymns by memory after she lost her sight. It was therapy, both for her and for Carl, who enjoyed listening to her play.

Funeral Services will be held at Forest Park East, Webster, Texas on September 24, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. with burial immediately following. Visitation will also be at Forest Park East on Sunday, September 23, 2012 between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Baywind Village, 411 Alabama, League City, Texas 77573; phone 281-332-9588. Attention: Frances Orr Memorial Pampering Fund. This is a fund established for the residents of Baywind Village Skilled Nursing Center who are unable to afford to be pampered by having a hairdresser fix their hair.