Frances Janie Steed

Frances Janie Steed, 95, of Gonzales, passed away Monday, June 16, 2025. She was born September 7, 1929 in Leesville to Lacy and Lizzie Warren Brister. She married Robert Burton Steed on December 29, 1981 in Bexar County. Frances was a member of the Encouraging Word Christian Fellowship Church.
Frances grew up in Leesville when times were hard. She went to the old Leesville School and as most children of the times, Frances helped in picking cotton, throwing watermelons, and a host of other chores. She also worked debeaking chickens to make extra money. Frances came from the Greatest Generation, she bravely endured the Great Depression, and WWII as a younster. She had learned from an early age the value of a vegetable garden and how to extend the life of her harvest through canning. Meals were prepared at home and often there was cornbread and beans and her delicious peach cobbler ready for family and visitors. She enjoyed dancing and attending dances with her husband. Frances found peace in painting pictures rather than wasting aimlessly in front of the television. She could always be comforted with a good book to read rather than a movie. Her younger years were never simple; they were hard and times like those harden people. She was never demonstrative or verbal with her love, but those she loved clearly could feel the abundance of her love in her actions. Frances left no doubt that she adored her "grandbabies".
Frances is survived by her loving family, daughter Diann Heckman, daughters-in-law, Ruby Shaver and Sharon Shaver Gray, 8 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, daughter, Terry Price, sons, Floyd and Fred Shaver, sisters, Jessie Baddget, Elnore McKinney, Doshia Caddell, Nora Lavelett, Sabrina West, and Bessie Stewart, brothers, Warren and Alvin Brister, grandson, Nathan Jahns and son-in-law, Carl Heckman.
The family will receive friends from 10 am to 12 pm on Saturday, June 21, 2025 in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 1 pm in the Caraway Cemetery with Rev. Jimmy Newman officiating. Pallbearers: Derrick Heckman, Willie Pakebusch, Tyler Shaver, Donald Brister, Zach Dean and Kullen Moeller. Honorary pallbearers are her "Grandbabies"
Friends may leave their condolences to the family by visiting www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Frances, please visit our Tree Store.