Frances Irene Harding

Frances Irene (Emerson) Harding, 89, of Cuba, passed away, Thursday, August 15, 2024, at Missouri Baptist Hospital in the comforting presence of her loving family.

On December 24, 1934, Frances was born to the union of William Emerson and Mamie Haffer in Berryman, Missouri.

She earned her education in St. Louis.

Frances was united in marriage to Jim Harding on March 28, 1953, in St. Louis and after Jim’s passing in 1994, Frances would later marry Robert Douglas.

Frances had attended Deer Creek Church.

Frances prided herself in caring for her “ducklings” as she lovingly called her children. When her children started having their own children, Frances enjoyed spending as much time with them as possible. Every summer Jim and her would take all 9 of their first grandchildren camping as soon as they were out of school. Frances also loved completing puzzles, baking, canning, embroidery and tending to her beautiful roses. She also enjoyed dancing and celebrating by having parties, especially if they were for a birthday or Christmas. Most of all, Frances loved her family and friends immensely and she will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William & Mamie Emerson; her first husband, Jim Harding; her second husband, Robert Douglas; her brother, Frank Emerson; three sisters, Beulah Breeden, Dorothy Gaska & Betty Lou Luke; a son-in-law, Patrick Mullen.

Frances is survived by her son, Larry Harding and wife Judy of Cuba; three daughters, Bonnie Blunt and husband Jim of Cuba, Nancy Staples and husband Lenny of Cuba and Starlite Fooks and husband Mark of Cuba; 10 grandchildren, Larry Harding and wife Christina, Josh Harding and wife April, Shanna Harle and husband Jason, Brandon Blunt and wife Sarah, Patrick Mullen, Amanda Swyers and husband Allen, Angie Callahan and husband Dempsey, Rachel Littrell and husband Shannon, Michael Fooks and Shelbey Haynes and husband Mitch; 25 great-grandchildren, Kyra, Parker, Kenna, Cole, Ethan, Gage, Gracie, Ian, Maggie, Bryar, Donovan, Dominique, Dalton, Addie Joe, Allie, Leland, Haley, Wyatt, Emily, Jamison, Alana, Simon, Ty, Braxton and Sophia; 4 great-great-grandchildren, Jordan, Johnathan, Kyler, Liam; nieces; nephews; other relatives and many friends.

A Visitation for Frances will be held, Monday, August 19, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.A Funeral Service will take place at 12 p.m. also on Monday, August 19, 2024, at Mizell Funeral Home. Burial will take place at Meramec Hills Memorial Lawn in Cuba.

Donations are appreciated to either St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or to the Shriners Children’s Hospital.

Arrangements under the care of Mizell Funeral Home, Cuba.