Frances Irene McGee

One of three children, Frances was born on May 3, 1937 in Transylvania County to the late Grady Pope and Margaret Head Pope.

She graduated from Rosman High School with the class of 1955, then went on to attend Greenville Memorial Nursing School in Greenville, SC, where she graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1958. From there, she returned home to Brevard and worked for a short time at a medical office before taking a job at Transylvania Community Hospital. While working at the hospital, she obtained her CRNA certification via one of the state’s first anesthesia programs at Asheville Memorial Hospital.

Upon completion of the anesthesia program and as a new CRNA, Frances continued working at Transylvania Community Hospital as the first Nurse Anesthetist on the staff. Soon after, she was promoted to Head of Anesthesia, and she continued to work diligently and loyally for over 50 years until her retirement in 2008.

Outside of her ambitious and inspiring professional life, Frances was just as committed and involved when it came to her family and her church. She was a longtime member of Grace Baptist Church in Brevard, where she taught Sunday school and Acteens, and even served as the Sunday school director for a time. She also participated in the Baptist women’s organization and when she was in her 40s she went on a missionary trip to Brazil with other church members. As a devoted member of the choir, she and two other church members formed a singing trio and together they traveled around to sing at various churches and other events. If there was a need at the church, Frances took care of it, and if there was an event to be planned, Frances spearheaded it without hesitation.

A proud and loving wife, mother, and grandmother, Frances met the love of her life, Wilmer McGee, through mutual friends, and the two sweethearts dated while Wilmer was in the Army and stationed in Panama. They were finally married in 1957 in Brevard while he was home on leave, and they went on to share 56 wonderful years of marriage until Wilmer’s passing in 2014. Their love was something to behold; they were a shining example of what marriage should be. Even after decades together, Frances remarked that Wilmer still gave her butterflies.

When it came to her children and grandchildren, Frances took every opportunity to spoil them. After growing up with little, it was special and important to her to treat the people she loved so much. One of her favorite traditions was taking each grandchild on a Disney cruise as a 13th birthday present.

A shopping fanatic, decor connoisseur, and extrinsic travel enthusiast, Frances had many fulfilling hobbies that she enjoyed throughout her life. Shopping for clothes was perhaps her favorite, especially at department stores and for home goods, and she could never resist a good bargain, whether she actually needed the item or not. She was also famous for her ever-changing home decor, which she excitedly updated with each new season, and she always looked forward to whatever upcoming travels she had planned. Over the years, she and Wilmer took many trips together, notably an Alaskan cruise one year and they were particularly fond of taking bus tours. She also took cherished annual trips to Pigeon Forge, TN and Myrtle Beach with her family.

Seemingly constantly productive and on-the-go, Frances still somehow made time for other fulfilling hobbies and interests. She liked antiquing - especially for glassware, and more specifically, Fenton - sewing clothes, crocheting afghans, and reading Danielle Steele novels.

Frances was dynamic, ambitious, and dedicated - a truly remarkable woman who brought joy and inspiration to everyone around her. She will be missed more than words can convey.

Frances is survived by her children, Lynne Ingle (Carl) and Crystal Curry (Philip); daughter-in-law, Angie; grandchildren, Megan Hoots (Justin), Lauren McGee, and Brad Ingle; great-grandchildren, Finn and Owen Hoots; nieces and nephews, Teresa Powell and Brian Pope; and sister-in-law, Marcella Pope; as well as countless other loving family members and many dear friends.

Frances has been reunited in Heaven with her parents; beloved husband, Wilmer McGee; son, Mike McGee; grandson, Chad Ingle; and brothers, Robert Pope and David Pope.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 12:30pm until 2:00pm on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Grace Baptist Church, 10 W Holden Road in Brevard. The memorial service is to be conducted at 2:00pm at the church, immediately following the visitation.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Frances’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Grace Baptist Church.