Frances Susanna Tankersley

May 10, 1918 - March 5, 2018

Frances Susanna Tankersley, 99, Fortuna, MO, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, March 5, 2018. She was born on May 10, 1918, in Cooper County, MO, to parents Jesse Edwards Rowles and Pauline Tavenner Rowles. Frances and her family spent her youth in and around the Bunceton and Otterville area, and she attended Tipton High School, oftentimes riding a mule to get there. Frances married Orvel Clayton Tankersley of Fortuna on January 19, 1937, after a brief courtship, and settled in the Fortuna area. She was a homemaker who raised six children, cared for numerous grandchildren, tended a large garden, and worked side-by-side with Orvel on their farm near Versailles. Frances was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years; her parents; three brothers: Townsend Rowles of Montrose, CO, Jesse E. Rowles of Windsor, MO, and John R. Rowles of Marshall, MO; four sisters: Grace Banks of Sedalia, Mo; Mary Long of Leeton, MO; Doris Motsinger of Calhoun, MO; and Margaret Schwartz of Sedalia, MO. She was also preceded in death by three grandchildren: Brian Williams, Karry Williams, and Travis Tankersley. Frances is survived by her six children: Paul Tankersley (Dorothy) of Versailles, MO; John Tankersley (Georgene) of Fortuna, MO; Sarah Williams (Jack) of Versailles, MO; George Tankersley (Kathy) of Gravois Mills, MO; Dale Tankersley (Kathy) of Syracuse, MO; and Lynn Beasley (David) of Marietta, GA. She is also survived by 20 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; 26 great-great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-great grandchild. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Frances will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother whose greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends. She was a woman of deep faith, and she lived her faith in her daily life and her interactions with others. She was always willing to help others in need, and her frequent saying was “never judge another person until you have walked a mile in their shoes.” A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, March 9, 2018, at 2:00 PM at the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home in Versailles, MO, with graveside services immediately following at the Newkirk Cemetery near Fortuna, MO. There will be a brief visitation beginning at 1:00 PM. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home of Versailles.