Please join us in celebrating the life of Prof. Frances Roddey Whitesides Fitz of Hickory, NC. She died peacefully in her sleep on November 27, 2016, and has gone to be with her Lord and Savior.
Born in Smyrna, SC, on June 10, 1919, Mrs. Fitz was the eldest daughter of William Lester Whitesides and Frances Folsom Roddey Whitesides. She was pre-deceased by her parents, by her husband, Dr. Thomas Edmunds Fitz, and by her siblings, Mary Elizabeth "Bette" Faulkner and William Lester Whitesides, Jr. Her second-born son, William Roddey Fitz, also predeceased her.
After growing up in Smyrna, SC, Mrs. Fitz obtained her undergraduate degree from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. Later, after the birth of her last child, she obtained her Masters Degree in Business from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.
Mrs. Fitz met her husband-to-be in Sumter, SC, during World War II. Tom Fitz had joined the US Army Air Corps shortly after the start of the war during which he flew P-47 fighters and other aircraft. Frances Whitesides met this young flight instructor at a dance. That fateful encounter began a courtship that led to a 71-year marriage, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Work was important to Mrs. Fitz. She helped support her husband through medical school, raised a family and then embarked on her own career teaching accounting, computing and ethics at Lenoir-Rhyne University. Simply said, she loved her students and she loved the institution. She found real fulfillment as a teacher and rose to the rank of full professor. Lenoir-Rhyne named Mrs. Fitz a Professor Emerita when she retired.
Mrs. Fitz was a lifelong Presbyterian. In Hickory, NC, she served as a Deacon and later as an Elder at First Presbyterian Church. She and her family were active members there over many years. After both she and Dr. Fitz retired, they went on a medical mission in Kananga, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Gardening and music were Mrs. Fitz' favorite pastimes, and it was not unusual to find fresh dirt on the piano keys or to smell burnt cornbread coming from the oven as she played.
Mrs. Fitz is survived by her son Thomas E. Fitz, Jr. (and his spouse, Margaret) of Athens, GA; her daughter Frances Fitz Gaines (Dennis) of Hickory, NC; her son Dr. John Gregory Fitz (Linda), of Dallas, TX; and her son Joseph Daniel Fitz II (Mario), of London, England. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Dr. Morgan Fitz McDonald (Brent); Anne Roddey Fitz Templeton (Shane); Sarah Margaret Fitz Griffith (Robert); Forest Fitz Gaines and Dennis Alexander Gaines (Nicole); Rebecca Fitz Tarre (Alejandro); Guy Gregory Fitz; Thomas Walker Fitz (Kristi). Six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews also survive her.
As a family, we have been blessed by her legacy and enriched by her example. Fran practiced kindness in her dealings with her fellow man and expected her children to do likewise. Also, we have been influenced by her tenacity, stoicism, faithfulness in fulfilling her sense of duty to God and family, and her service to others.
The family will receive well-wishers from 4pm to 6pm on Thursday, December 1st, at First Presbyterian Church, Hickory, NC.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to the Frances Whitesides Fitz Scholarship Fund at Lenoir-Rhyne University (Checks to Lenoir-Rhyne University, Memo: Fitz Schsp, PO Box 7546, Hickory, NC 28603). Alternatively, the family would welcome a donation to Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658.
Source: www.bass-smithfuneralhome.com
Born in Smyrna, SC, on June 10, 1919, Mrs. Fitz was the eldest daughter of William Lester Whitesides and Frances Folsom Roddey Whitesides. She was pre-deceased by her parents, by her husband, Dr. Thomas Edmunds Fitz, and by her siblings, Mary Elizabeth "Bette" Faulkner and William Lester Whitesides, Jr. Her second-born son, William Roddey Fitz, also predeceased her.
After growing up in Smyrna, SC, Mrs. Fitz obtained her undergraduate degree from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. Later, after the birth of her last child, she obtained her Masters Degree in Business from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.
Mrs. Fitz met her husband-to-be in Sumter, SC, during World War II. Tom Fitz had joined the US Army Air Corps shortly after the start of the war during which he flew P-47 fighters and other aircraft. Frances Whitesides met this young flight instructor at a dance. That fateful encounter began a courtship that led to a 71-year marriage, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Work was important to Mrs. Fitz. She helped support her husband through medical school, raised a family and then embarked on her own career teaching accounting, computing and ethics at Lenoir-Rhyne University. Simply said, she loved her students and she loved the institution. She found real fulfillment as a teacher and rose to the rank of full professor. Lenoir-Rhyne named Mrs. Fitz a Professor Emerita when she retired.
Mrs. Fitz was a lifelong Presbyterian. In Hickory, NC, she served as a Deacon and later as an Elder at First Presbyterian Church. She and her family were active members there over many years. After both she and Dr. Fitz retired, they went on a medical mission in Kananga, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Gardening and music were Mrs. Fitz' favorite pastimes, and it was not unusual to find fresh dirt on the piano keys or to smell burnt cornbread coming from the oven as she played.
Mrs. Fitz is survived by her son Thomas E. Fitz, Jr. (and his spouse, Margaret) of Athens, GA; her daughter Frances Fitz Gaines (Dennis) of Hickory, NC; her son Dr. John Gregory Fitz (Linda), of Dallas, TX; and her son Joseph Daniel Fitz II (Mario), of London, England. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Dr. Morgan Fitz McDonald (Brent); Anne Roddey Fitz Templeton (Shane); Sarah Margaret Fitz Griffith (Robert); Forest Fitz Gaines and Dennis Alexander Gaines (Nicole); Rebecca Fitz Tarre (Alejandro); Guy Gregory Fitz; Thomas Walker Fitz (Kristi). Six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews also survive her.
As a family, we have been blessed by her legacy and enriched by her example. Fran practiced kindness in her dealings with her fellow man and expected her children to do likewise. Also, we have been influenced by her tenacity, stoicism, faithfulness in fulfilling her sense of duty to God and family, and her service to others.
The family will receive well-wishers from 4pm to 6pm on Thursday, December 1st, at First Presbyterian Church, Hickory, NC.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to the Frances Whitesides Fitz Scholarship Fund at Lenoir-Rhyne University (Checks to Lenoir-Rhyne University, Memo: Fitz Schsp, PO Box 7546, Hickory, NC 28603). Alternatively, the family would welcome a donation to Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658.
Source: www.bass-smithfuneralhome.com
Please join us in celebrating the life of Prof. Frances Roddey Whitesides Fitz of Hickory, NC. She died peacefully in her sleep on November 27, 2016, and has gone to be with her Lord and Savior.
Born in Smyrna, SC, on June 10, 1919, Mrs. Fitz was the eldest daughter of William Lester Whitesides and Frances Folsom Roddey Whitesides. She was pre-deceased by her parents, by her husband, Dr. Thomas Edmunds Fitz, and by her siblings, Mary Elizabeth "Bette" Faulkner and William Lester Whitesides, Jr. Her second-born son, William Roddey Fitz, also predeceased her.
After growing up in Smyrna, SC, Mrs. Fitz obtained her undergraduate degree from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. Later, after the birth of her last child, she obtained her Masters Degree in Business from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.
Mrs. Fitz met her husband-to-be in Sumter, SC, during World War II. Tom Fitz had joined the US Army Air Corps shortly after the start of the war during which he flew P-47 fighters and other aircraft. Frances Whitesides met this young flight instructor at a dance. That fateful encounter began a courtship that led to a 71-year marriage, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Work was important to Mrs. Fitz. She helped support her husband through medical school, raised a family and then embarked on her own career teaching accounting, computing and ethics at Lenoir-Rhyne University. Simply said, she loved her students and she loved the institution. She found real fulfillment as a teacher and rose to the rank of full professor. Lenoir-Rhyne named Mrs. Fitz a Professor Emerita when she retired.
Mrs. Fitz was a lifelong Presbyterian. In Hickory, NC, she served as a Deacon and later as an Elder at First Presbyterian Church. She and her family were active members there over many years. After both she and Dr. Fitz retired, they went on a medical mission in Kananga, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Gardening and music were Mrs. Fitz' favorite pastimes, and it was not unusual to find fresh dirt on the piano keys or to smell burnt cornbread coming from the oven as she played.
Mrs. Fitz is survived by her son Thomas E. Fitz, Jr. (and his spouse, Margaret) of Athens, GA; her daughter Frances Fitz Gaines (Dennis) of Hickory, NC; her son Dr. John Gregory Fitz (Linda), of Dallas, TX; and her son Joseph Daniel Fitz II (Mario), of London, England. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Dr. Morgan Fitz McDonald (Brent); Anne Roddey Fitz Templeton (Shane); Sarah Margaret Fitz Griffith (Robert); Forest Fitz Gaines and Dennis Alexander Gaines (Nicole); Rebecca Fitz Tarre (Alejandro); Guy Gregory Fitz; Thomas Walker Fitz (Kristi). Six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews also survive her.
As a family, we have been blessed by her legacy and enriched by her example. Fran practiced kindness in her dealings with her fellow man and expected her children to do likewise. Also, we have been influenced by her tenacity, stoicism, faithfulness in fulfilling her sense of duty to God and family, and her service to others.
The family will receive well-wishers from 4pm to 6pm on Thursday, December 1st, at First Presbyterian Church, Hickory, NC.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to the Frances Whitesides Fitz Scholarship Fund at Lenoir-Rhyne University (Checks to Lenoir-Rhyne University, Memo: Fitz Schsp, PO Box 7546, Hickory, NC 28603). Alternatively, the family would welcome a donation to Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658.
Source: www.bass-smithfuneralhome.com
Born in Smyrna, SC, on June 10, 1919, Mrs. Fitz was the eldest daughter of William Lester Whitesides and Frances Folsom Roddey Whitesides. She was pre-deceased by her parents, by her husband, Dr. Thomas Edmunds Fitz, and by her siblings, Mary Elizabeth "Bette" Faulkner and William Lester Whitesides, Jr. Her second-born son, William Roddey Fitz, also predeceased her.
After growing up in Smyrna, SC, Mrs. Fitz obtained her undergraduate degree from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. Later, after the birth of her last child, she obtained her Masters Degree in Business from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.
Mrs. Fitz met her husband-to-be in Sumter, SC, during World War II. Tom Fitz had joined the US Army Air Corps shortly after the start of the war during which he flew P-47 fighters and other aircraft. Frances Whitesides met this young flight instructor at a dance. That fateful encounter began a courtship that led to a 71-year marriage, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Work was important to Mrs. Fitz. She helped support her husband through medical school, raised a family and then embarked on her own career teaching accounting, computing and ethics at Lenoir-Rhyne University. Simply said, she loved her students and she loved the institution. She found real fulfillment as a teacher and rose to the rank of full professor. Lenoir-Rhyne named Mrs. Fitz a Professor Emerita when she retired.
Mrs. Fitz was a lifelong Presbyterian. In Hickory, NC, she served as a Deacon and later as an Elder at First Presbyterian Church. She and her family were active members there over many years. After both she and Dr. Fitz retired, they went on a medical mission in Kananga, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Gardening and music were Mrs. Fitz' favorite pastimes, and it was not unusual to find fresh dirt on the piano keys or to smell burnt cornbread coming from the oven as she played.
Mrs. Fitz is survived by her son Thomas E. Fitz, Jr. (and his spouse, Margaret) of Athens, GA; her daughter Frances Fitz Gaines (Dennis) of Hickory, NC; her son Dr. John Gregory Fitz (Linda), of Dallas, TX; and her son Joseph Daniel Fitz II (Mario), of London, England. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Dr. Morgan Fitz McDonald (Brent); Anne Roddey Fitz Templeton (Shane); Sarah Margaret Fitz Griffith (Robert); Forest Fitz Gaines and Dennis Alexander Gaines (Nicole); Rebecca Fitz Tarre (Alejandro); Guy Gregory Fitz; Thomas Walker Fitz (Kristi). Six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews also survive her.
As a family, we have been blessed by her legacy and enriched by her example. Fran practiced kindness in her dealings with her fellow man and expected her children to do likewise. Also, we have been influenced by her tenacity, stoicism, faithfulness in fulfilling her sense of duty to God and family, and her service to others.
The family will receive well-wishers from 4pm to 6pm on Thursday, December 1st, at First Presbyterian Church, Hickory, NC.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to the Frances Whitesides Fitz Scholarship Fund at Lenoir-Rhyne University (Checks to Lenoir-Rhyne University, Memo: Fitz Schsp, PO Box 7546, Hickory, NC 28603). Alternatively, the family would welcome a donation to Catawba Regional Hospice, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658.
Source: www.bass-smithfuneralhome.com
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