Mary Frances “Mickie” French was born January 3, 1924 in Fort Worth, Texas to Rosa and Willis McGraw. She joined her Heavenly Father on July 25, 2022 at her home in Waxahachie, Texas. The third of three girls, Mary grew up in Arlington, Texas with her sisters Johnnie Mae and Christine. She graduated from Arlington High School. Mary married James Leonard French in 1943 and they had four children, Robert Neal, Marilyn, David Homer, and Connie Alice. The couple enjoyed 78 years together before his death in 2021.
Mary was an excellent homemaker, and took care of her children in the traditional role of mother and wife, until they started school. She then took a job with the Fort Worth Christian School as a busar, working there until the children graduated. She had many hobbies, among them were cooking, gardening, canning, quilting, fishing, camping with the family, family vacation trips, but above all she shared, with her husband James, the responsibility of fund raising for the Chimala Mission and Hospital in Tanyanika, East Africa. She and James were involved with the mission from its start in the late 1950’s until they retired. Mickie loved to travel, having made many trips to Africa.
Above all else, Mary enjoyed her family. Bob and his wife Janet had three children Kerry, Rob and Julie, and five grandchildren, Tanner, Rylie, Courtney, Jenna and Rob. Marilyn and her husband Bob had one child, Ali and one grandchild Charlie. David and his wife Yvonne had one child Bryan and Connie and her husband Gary had two children Shane and Amy and Amy has one child Gage. Mary had a total of four children, seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Mickie and James were converted to Christ by Andrew and Claudine Connelly in 1955. This was to become the guiding factor in their lives and would last to their death. From 1955, they were members of the Church of Christ and it is safe to say, it was their passion in life. They shared this passion with each other and everyone they met, as long as they lived.
Graveside Services will be held Friday, July 29, 2022 at 10:30AM at Green Acres Memorial Park in Cleburne, Texas.