Frances Dedmon

Frances Ellen (Gray) Dedmon was born October 25, 1938, in the back room of her grandparent’s general store on Bryant Creek, in Douglas County, Missouri. Her parents were Frank and Lola (King) Gray, and she had two younger sisters, Priscilla and Evelyn. She passed away at her home, surrounded by loved ones, on March 15, 2026.

She grew up in the Mansfield area and graduated from Mansfield High School, then attended business school in Springfield. It was in Mansfield that she met and married the boy she had climbed a tree to watch as he split wood, Jackie Dale Dedmon.

Frances accepted the Lord as a girl and when Jack answered the call into ministry she served along by his side at numerous churches he pastored throughout the years.

They were blessed with the birth of a son, Michael Dale and a daughter, Kathy Ellen.

Frances had a love of gardening and nature. She loved sitting on her porch and watching wildlife. Deer, turkey, and squirrel were some of the visitors passing through. She loved taking care of her yard and purchased a zero-turn mower which she handled like a pro. She loved "playing" in the dirt and growing flowers. She canned produce from her garden and liked trying new recipes. She made many quilts through the years for family especially grandchildren and was an excellent seamstress.

Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; parents, Frank and Lola Gray; and a sister Evelyn Miller.

She is survived by son, Michael and wife, Nancy; daughter, Kathy Dotson; grandchildren and great grandchildren, Mattheson and Shellie, Joshua and Alfie, Jennifer and Justin, Amanda and John, Autumn and Zach, Austin and Katie, and Emily; sister, Priscilla Logan, brother-in-law, Paul Miller; sister-in-law, Kay Patterson, along with nieces, nephews, other family, and friends.

A sincere thank you to a special care giver, Rita; and to the neighbors who were faithful unofficial neighborhood watch for our momma, Mt. Zion for their ministry of music and the little neighbors, who blessed our momma's heart with their acts of love and kindness.

Frances had a quiet, but strong and steady faith, and we are celebrating that she has completed her earthly journey and is forever home. Throughout her journey Frances quietly sowed seeds of kindness and Christ's love. If you have not accepted the Lord, what better time than the present.

Service details will be posted when available.