Frances Anne Spurgeon was born in Marion, Indiana on February 23, 1923 to Howard and Lauretta (Oatess) White. She passed away on November 23, 2021. Frances was born and lived the first ten years of her life in Indianapolis, Indiana. She graduated from Marion High School in 1941. After graduation she began her career as a stenographer at Kleder and Thompson and The Metropolitan Insurance Company. There, she met Al Spurgeon, who became her husband on May 25, 1946.
A few months following their wedding, Frances and Al began one of their great adventures when Al accepted an administrative position at a small hospital on Molokai Island, Hawaii. They sailed a long passage from California to Hawaii on a commercial ship. After a year of living and working on Molokai, Frances and Al returned to Marion to begin their family. They raised their own five children, and adopted two Korean daughters to love and blend into their family.
Throughout their marriage, Frances and Al continued to travel. Among their favorite destinations was visiting family in Montana and Idaho. Later in life, Frances had the opportunity to accompany one of their daughters, MaryAnne, to meet and visit with MaryAnne’s biological family in South Korea.
Frances was a devoted mother, and an active member of her community. Frances provided encouragement for her children during their school years. Throughout those years she was very active Girl Scout leader, as well as president of the McCulloch PTA Study Group. Additionally, she was a lifelong, active member of the Gethsemane Episcopal Church. She was continuously involved with a variety of church events and activities, as well as assuming the position of church historian.
At home, Frances enjoyed gardening, reading, writing letters to faraway friends and family, baking and family activities. She was famous for her exceptional gooseberry pies. Her gooseberry pie fame extended to her presenting one of her pies to television star and comedian Dick Van Dyke on one of his visit to family in Marion.
Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Al Spurgeon, her daughter Jennifer LaPoint, her parents Howard and Lauretta (Oatess) White, her grandparents, her brother James White, and her sister Mary Lou (White) McPherson. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Kanani (Paul) King, Gainesville, Florida; David Spurgeon, Marion, Indiana; Cathy Faidley, Indianapolis, Indiana; Philip (Kathi) Spurgeon, Olivehurst, California; Chris Spurgeon, Kettering, Ohio; MaryAnne Carr, South Padre Island, Texas. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, and three great, great-grandchildren.
Graveside Services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Friday December 3, 2021 at Estates of Serenity, 2225 S. Lincoln Blvd, with Pastor Mindy Hancock officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Gethsemane Episcopal Church, 803 S. Washington St., Marion, IN 46953, or to Donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be shared at www.ravenchoate.com
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