Mary Frances King

1930 - 2021

Mary Frances King

February 12, 1930 - May 26, 2021

Mary Frances King of Bedford, Virginia passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 with Jim, her husband of 70 years by her side. She was born February 12, 1930 to loving parents Susan Elvie & Everett Perry Hardee in Tabor City, N.C. She grew up in Conway, S.C. After graduating from high school she attended Columbia Business College in South Carolina. She worked for many years as a supervisor for Continental Telephone Company.

"Frances" as she liked to be called was introduced to Jim by a friend while he was serving in the Military Police at Fort Jackson, S.C. They were happily married March 8, 1951. They lived in many different parts of the country and Germany during Jim's years in the Army. They raised a son and daughter and enjoyed their life together.

After retiring they moved to Bedford, Va. Frances was an active member at Thaxton Baptist Church and developed many close friendships while attending there. She had a sweet gentle spirit and loved helping people. She volunteered at Bedford Christian Ministries for many years and spent time visiting the sick in hospitals and nursing homes.

Frances loved to bake and always made sure there were pies and cakes when you came to see her. She enjoyed quilting and crocheting blankets for family and friends. She dearly loved her family and friends. One of her greatest joys was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents, Elvie and Perry Hardee (Florence, S.C.), two sisters, Lorraine Taylor (Charleston, S.C.) and Hazel Baker (Dale City, Va.) and three brothers Horace Hardee (Charleston, S.C.), Paul Hardee of (Florence, S.C.), and Weston Hardee of (Florence, S.C.)

Frances is survived by her loving husband, James Edward King, her son, Jeff (Angie) King; her daughter, Raquel (Kevin) Kern; four grandchildren, Stephanie (Dustin) Gray, Tyler King, Lauren (Matthew) McKee, Daniel (Brittany) Kern; three precious great-grandchildren, Emma Grace McKee, Hadley Ann McKee, Elenaora Kate (Nori) Gray, and many loving and caring nieces and nephews,

The family is so appreciative of the love, prayers, calls and visits from the family, friends and neighbors.

We are grateful for the loving care all of the staff at Generation Solutions has provided over the last two and a half years. Also, a humble thank you to the staff at Gentle Shepherd Hospice, and Analeigh Ferguson so being so kind and caring.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Bedford Pregnancy Center or Thaxton Baptist Church.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 30, 2021 at Tharp Funeral Home Chapel, Bedford with the Rev. Ethan Strickler, the Rev. Randy Krantz, the Rev. Ed Nichols and the Rev. Eldridge Cullum officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford, is assisting the family. To send online condolences please visit tharpfuneralhome.com.