Mrs. Frances Walker Forney   born in Cleveland County July 28, 1916, died Thursday, March 7, 2013.  She was Pre Deceased by her husband of 55 years, Charles Daniel Forney, Jr.   She received an Associate in Arts from Mars Hill College and a Bachelor of Science from Appalachian State University. She was a former teacher at Piedmont High School.

Frances was foremost a devoted wife and mother. Later in life she took great joy in being   “Mama Frances” to her eight grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

She was very active in her church, community, and the political arena and took on many leadership roles. For many years she served as City Treasurer for the City of Lawndale.

She believed it was important to be involved in and to contribute to her community. She served as First Vice President of North Carolina Federation of Women’s Club. She was a Charter member, First Vice President, and President of Lawndale Woman’s Club. She served as Chairman of the Child Welfare Division of North Carolina Federation of Women’s Clubs, District IV.  She was President of The North Carolina Federation of Women’s Club, District  IV. She was also proud to be a girl scout leader.

Frances was devoted to her Church and accepted many leadership rolls.

She was a Member of Convocation Committee of Gardner Webb College

She served as Treasurer of Lawndale Baptist Church for 7 years.

 Many times she was a Sunday School Teacher and Pianist . She was President of the Woman’s Missionary Union, Kings Mountain Association, embracing 70 churches.

She served on the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Association of Cleveland County .and she was the First Woman to be elected as a member of the North Carolina Baptist Foundation Board of Directors

Frances took an interest in politics at all levels.  She was appointed as one of 17 members of North Carolina Women for Preyer, a committee formed in 1964 to work for the election of Richardson Preyer for Governor. She was Co-Chairman of Women for Bowles, boosting the Democratic Gubernatorial campaign of Hargrove Bowles.

Frances made time for many interests and hobbies:

She loved the outdoors, was an avid gardener, and was an Audubon enthusiast.

She was artistic and painted in oils and water colors. She was talented in all crafts and was an accomplished seamstress.  She taught many of her friends how to knit and sew. The outdoors always beckoned to her. She took up golf later in life and most of all loved to go on fishing trips with “Charlie”, the love of her life. .  They were married and were soul mates for 55 years. Above all, she taught her children the importance of family, church, and community.

She is survived by her three children: Charles Daniel Forney III  married to Betty Jo White Forney ; Michael Walker Forney; Carol Forney Temple married to George Murray Temple; her eight grandchildren: Jason Daniel Forney married to  Sarah Atwater Forney, Elizabeth Jo Forney, and Anna Forney Lackey married to Charles Baxter Lackey ( Children of Charles Daniel Forney III) ; Meagan Ryan Forney and Shannon Elizabeth Forney ( Children of Michael Forney) ; George Murray Temple ,Jr. Married to Judi Green Temple, Charles Benjamin Temple married to Jennifer Abbott Temple, and Robert Forney Temple ( Children of Carol Forney Temple)  and her 7 great grandchildren: Lillian Mary Forney, Charles White Forney ( Children of Jason Forney) ;Elizabeth Walker Lackey, Charles Baxter Lackey, Jr. ( Children of Anna Forney Lackey); Madeline Elizabeth Forney-Antolik ( Daughter of Meagan Forney) ;George M. Temple III,( son of George Temple, Jr.) and Margaret Frances Temple ( Daughter of Charles Benjamin Temple).

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at Shelby Presbyterian Church.  Dr. Luke Harkey will be officiating.  A gathering of friends will immediately follow the service.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150.

Cecil M Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mrs. Forney.