Frances Buchanan

Frances was born in 1919 in Alabama. Growing up during the Great Depression, she overcame many hardships and learned to appreciate the simple things in life. She was the beloved wife of Daniel E. “Red” Buchanan and shared 66 years of marriage. She was a loving mother to three sons, Daniel E. Buchanan, Jr., John M. Buchanan, Michael E. Buchanan, and a daughter, Linda, who died in infancy. Cherished grandmother of Mary Amanda. And forever indebted to Cynthia, Michelle, and her Alacare Hospice caregivers.

Frances cooked thousands of meals over the years for her husband and three sons. Like all Moms, she prepared her food with love as the special ingredient. Sewing was another skill she learned and used in those early days to help clothe her growing family.

She was a devout Christian and truly an angel on earth. She attended Boyle’s Baptist and was the oldest living member of Hilldale Baptist. Many of her lifelong friendships were formed in the WMU and Sunday School groups she frequented.

Another of her passions was gardening. She was a garden club member for decades. She tended the vegetable gardens that Red made for her and canned the produce that they grew. You could always count on her having a big pot of soup on the stove when the weather turned cold. She loved to learn and when she was nearly 80 years old, aced a community college course and became a full-fledged Master Gardener.

Frances also developed her artistic side when she learned how to paint and fire ceramics to produce objects with beautiful color and texture. She went on to buy her own kiln and hosted classes where friends would gather and do their art — kind of an old-school Sips and Strokes.

She was always available and willing to contribute. The last few years before her eyesight failed, she found fulfillment working with a group to crochet tiny caps and socks to keep warm the premature babies at local hospitals.

Her angelic face always let you know you were home and that you were safe. She will never be forgotten.

Relatives and friends will gather in honor of Frances’ life during a grave side service at Jefferson Memorial Cemetery, Gadsden Hwy., on Saturday, January 27, at 2:00 pm.