Frances Truman

Funeral Services for France E Truman, age 88 will be held Monday, July 16, 2012 at 11:00 am at the New Hope United Methodist Church. Rev Sheila Combs-Francis will officiate. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, July 15th at the New Hope United Methodist Church from 6-7:00 pm. Arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.

Frances Eulalie Kirkpatrick, the oldest child of Archibald A and Elizabeth Schalle Kirpatrick, was born on October 9, 1923 on the family farm near Breckenridge, OK. Her father wanted to name her Frances Jeanette and it was a matter of family debate for years as to what her middle name actually was. Eventually her birth certificate was located and the question was settled. She was joined by siblings, Mary Ann, Louis, Dora Lee, Leo, Ida and Sylvia.

Frances attended Sunny Bower Country School District 45, through the 8th grade, and then completed her education at Kremlin High School, graduating with the class of 1943. Her senior year at Kremlin she pitched for the girls’ championship softball team, after having her athletic ability discovered by the principal, Mr Chelf.

After graduation she worked for a time picking peaches at Roberson’s Farm. After that she went to work as a waitress at Harry’s Café in downtown Enid. It was while she was working at Harry’s that she met a WW Navy veteran named Robert “Bob” Truman. After a fast courtship they were married on May 16, 1946 in the home of his brother, Dale Truman. They made their home in El Reno where Bob was employed by Southwestern Bell. They transferred back to Enid in 1953.

Frances and Bob had four children: Mary Virginia, Robert Michael, Donald Lee, and Morita Gayle. While her family was young she served in their schools as a home room mother, PTA officer, Girl Scout leader, den mother, and she was always willing to help and respond whenever there was a need. In those days the schools did not serve lunch and so her children walked home for lunch hour and she always had hot meals ready. She attended countless concerts, installation ceremonies, sporting and other school events, always showing her support for her children’s activities. It was during this time that she attended faithfully the Ruth Bible Study at Central Christian Church. She loved learning the stories of the Bible and took meticulous notes as she read with other women from the Enid area.

Frances’ life changed when Bob retired from Southwestern Bell in 1980 and they began to work together on various projects. They volunteered at St Mary’s Regional Hospital, went through training and managed telephones at the Contact crisis center, and continued to be active members of their church, First St Luke’s United Methodist, then New Hope United Methodist. They enjoyed traveling by car – driving to both coasts to see family, to attend reunions with the crew of the USS Aulick, and making trips within the borders of the state they loved – to the state fair, to visit museums and state parks, simple day trips that allowed them to explore familiar territory.

After Bob’s death, Frances continued to volunteer, and added to her list of activities the Garfield County Election Board. She enjoyed serving the public at her local polling place, even though the days were long. She carried a bag with her book of instructions as well as puzzle books to keep her occupied on low turnout voting days. She also continued traveling to see family and made special trips for graduations, birthdays, and weddings. She was a welcome guest at many events and added a gentle grace wherever she went.

At the age of 75 she traveled to Alaska with a Volunteers in Mission group from her church where she learned to carry and work with sheet rock. Up until the age of 85 she participated regularly in exercise classes at the Senior Life Network, including step aerobics classes. It was in one of those classes that she suffered the first broken bone of her life – when she missed the step and fell and broke her wrist.

Frances gave her all to any project she took on, to any organization to which she belonged. Those who benefited from her energy and spirit include New Hope UMC, the UMW, the UMM, St Mary’s Volunteers, Garfield County Election Board, Senior Life Network, and RSVP. She also had a special group of friends, the “Lunch Buddies,” who gave her incredible support and friendship.

Frances died on July 11, 2012 at St Mary’s Regional Hospital. While those who remain in this life mourn her loss, Frances’ faith gave her complete confidence about this moment. She gave thanks to God every day for the blessings of her life and she taught everyone around her about the joy of even the simplest task and moments. She saw good in everyone and as one grandson said, “She loved me from the moment she met me.” That is the epitaph which most describes her life.

Preceding Frances in death were her husband, Robert Truman, her parents, Archibald and Elizabeth Kirkpatrick, sisters, Dora Lee Blockcolski and Ida Leppke, brothers, Louis Kirkpatrick and Leo Kirkpatrick, brother-in-law George Bese and one infant brother.

Surviving are her children, Mary and Bobby Kirts of Tabb, VA; Robert Truman of Seattle, WA; Don and Nancy Truman of Enid, OK; and Morita Truman of Hillsboro, KS; grandchildren, Becky (Kirts) and Ron Reichart, Dana (Kirts) and Jack Patterson, Michael and Heather Truman, Scott and Beth Truman and Amy Truman; great grandchildren Katie Reichart, Nathaniel Reichart, Molly Patterson, Foster Truman, Trinity Weyandt, and Elijah Johnson; sisters, Mary Ann Bese and Sylvia and Lawrence Clark, brother-in-law, Harry Leppke, sister-in-law Joyce Kirkpatrick, and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.