Frances Kay Cruthirds

Frances Kay Smelser Cruthirds (Kay), was born in Mobile, Alabama on February 6, 1942. Kay graduated from Murphy High School in 1960 and worked as a dental hygienist. Kay married Byron Cruthirds in 1973 and moved to Warner Robins, Georgia. Kay went to nursing school in 1982, when she had two teenagers and a six-year-old. Kay began working as a neonatal nurse, then in labor and delivery. One of her great loves was helping to bring new life into the world and care for new mothers. Kay went on to get a BSN and then a Master's degree in Maternal-Fetal Medicine from the University of South Alabama in 1998.

In Warner Robins, Kay attended All Saints Episcopal Church where she was involved in the altar guild and Episcopal Church Women. Kay was a member of the Junior Women's Club.

Kay and Byron moved back to Mobile in 1996. Kay was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, where she served on the altar guild, as a lay Eucharistic minister, verger, the vestry, and was the parish nurse. Kay was also a faithful member of Daughters of the King. She volunteered in the gift shop at the Carnival Museum for many years. Kay was a member of Juno and enjoyed dancing at the Tableaus during the balls.

Kay died peacefully and surrounded by family on March 14, 2026 after living with dementia for several years. Kay is survived by her husband, Byron, three children: Lawon DePriest, Fran Webb (Chris), and Katherine Frederick (Doug), and grandchildren: Nicholas, Jennings, Kendall, Lily, Louis, and Sam. Kay was a loving wife and mother and will be missed.

Services will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church in Warner Robins on Tuesday at noon with a committal at Trinity Episcopal Church in Mobile at 11:00 on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Kay's honor to either All Saints Episcopal Church in Warner Robins or Trinity Episcopal Church in Mobile.