FRANCES LOUISE REESING WOOLDRIDGE

Frances Wooldridge, 92, of Waco, TX, was promoted on January 6, 2017, after a courageous battle with cancer. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 12, at the Gatesville Masonic Cemetery. Visitation with her family will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, January 11, at Oak Crest Funeral Home Chapel, 4520 Bosque Blvd., Waco, TX.

Frances was born April 9, 1924, in Gatesville, TX. She grew up on 2001 Main Street as the beloved daughter of John Palmer Reesing, Sr., Gatesville pharmacist and owner of Gatesville Drug Co. and Annie Baines Reesing, revered (and feared!) English teacher at Gatesville High School. Frances’ Baptist roots ran deep as the great-granddaughter the Rev. George W. Baines, Sr. Known affectionately by the family as “GW-1,” he is best known as a church planter in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas, fierce advocate for the education of women, second President of Baylor University, and great-grandfather of President Lyndon Baines Johnson.

Frances graduated from Baylor in the 1945 Centennial Class with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a minor in Psychology. She taught as a young woman in the Gatesville Public Schools until she married Rembert Houston Wooldridge, Jr., of Palestine, on June 12, 1948. Together they had two sons: Rembert Houston “Rusty” Wooldridge, III, and John Palmer Wooldridge. As great as her acumen was in business and education, her greatest joy was being a mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Frances is preceded in death by her husband Rembert H. Wooldridge, Jr. and brother John P. Reesing, Jr., Ph.D. She is survived by her sons Rusty and wife Lawana Wooldridge, and John and wife Teresa Wooldridge; grandchildren Kelly and fiancée Morgan, Kate and husband Rob, Johnathan and wife Nikala, and Sarah; step-grandson Donald Robert and wife Kristina; great-grandchildren Grayson and Elliana, and step-great grandchildren Natalie, Joel and Jameson. Frances will be greatly missed by her ever-faithful “angels with fur and teeth,” Dolce and G.W.

Frances Reesing Wooldridge often said she was called to be a friend to the friendless and to be content with whatever condition life presented her. Upon being diagnosed with Stage III lung cancer in February, 2015, she believed her final task was to show people how to die with dignity and yet remain generous, kind, and loyal. She ran her race with grace, and her work on this Earth is done.

Memorials may be made to Highland Baptist Church. The family would like to thank the staff of The Brazos of Waco and the Hospice Team at Providence Hospital who took superb care of our mom. With loving and kind treatment, you made her passing as comfortable as possible.

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