Frances McNeace Giddens

Frances McNeace Giddens, of Union, passed away in her 90th year on December 26, 2025.

A child of The Great Depression, Frances was the daughter of the late Ezekial and Eva McAbee of Monarch. Frances graduated from Union High School in 1954. Her strong work ethic began early—her first job was at the old Rose’s on Main Street when she was just 12 years old. She later worked for the telephone company before marrying and devoting herself to raising her sons: Thomas W. “Billy” McNeace, Martin Anthony McNeace (deceased), Marvin “Brother” Leroy McNeace, and Joseph Wayne McNeace.

Frances lived her entire life in Union, keeping a welcoming home for her family. She spent a brief time in Mullins, S.C., with her second husband, Jimmy Ray Giddens (deceased). Although she enjoyed living near the beach, Union was always the place she called home.

Frances will be remembered for her resilience, loyalty, and generous heart. She often began her stories with “Papa used to say…” or “I’ll tell you right now…,” and those phrases became part of her charm—little windows into her upbringing and the practical wisdom she carried. While she was not rich in material things, she was richer in heart than in gold. Like the woman in the Bible who gave her last two coins, she gave generously of whatever she had—her time, her help, and her love. Her giving spirit was simply who she was.

Affectionately known as “Aunt Poopie” to nieces, nephews, and cousins, Frances cared deeply for her family. With her passing, she becomes the last of her generation.

After suffering a stroke, Frances made her home at Oakmont Assisted Living, where she lived for nearly 15 years. The Oakmont staff and residents became her second family, a place where she reconnected with old friends and formed many new bonds.

The family is forever appreciative for the heartfelt and loving care the Union Post Acute team provided to Frances over the years.

She was lovingly “adopted” by Mike and Cheryl McNeace of Union, who made sure she had everything she needed, took her to appointments, and included her fully in their family life.

While Frances adored her boys, her life felt complete with the addition of her daughters-in-law, Cathy and Luvada, and her grandchildren: Kylie Davis (deceased), Desiree Sharp (Brian), Ashley Spaniol (Zak), Joseph Jake McNeace, and Anna Katherine McNeace. She was also blessed with five great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Frances’s birthday, April 16, at 11:00 a.m. at Morningside Baptist Church in Monarch. Her nephew, the Reverend Steve McAbee, will officiate.

In accordance with her wishes, Frances will be cremated, and her ashes will be interred privately with her son Martin beside her husband at Union Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Morningside Baptist Church, 112 Bates Ave., Union, SC 29379.