Longwith, Mary Frances (LaFayette)

Mary Frances Longwith, 90, formerly of LaFayette, Georgia, passed peacefully away in her home in Tuscumbia, Alabama, in the morning of January 19, 2020, following a pleasant afternoon with her family.

She was born in Hinkle, Ga., and was raised on Lookout Mountain where she attended church at Payne's Chapel Methodist Church. She was educated at Berry School where she met her loving husband of 71 years, Bob Longwith.

She was formerly employed at DuPont in Chattanooga, Barwick Mills, Archer Plant, and at Fortune Mills, in La Fayette, Ga.

Mary Frances and her husband, Bob were Alaskan pioneers where they began homesteading in the Two Rivers Community on the Chena Hot Springs Road, outside of Fairbanks, Territory of Alaska. In 1967, the family returned to Georgia where they purchased a farm in the Concord Community, near Villanow, Ga.

Mary Frances was kind and thoughtful, respectful of others. She never hesitated to do what was right or necessary.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester Levi Higdon and Mary Belle Clark Higdon; daughters: Sharon B. Rockholt, Deborah A. Stevenson; sisters: Ruth Tyler, Betty McNally, Linda Farmer; and brother: Jimmy Higdon.

She is survived by her husband, Bob C. Longwith; Tuscumbia AL, sister: Martha Jean Ross; daughters: Susan L. Longwith, Big Lake, AK, Joan E. (Frankie) Brians, Tuscumbia AL, Judith G. (Jim) Miller, Juneau AK; sons: James W. (Steevyn Cysewski) Longwith, Tuscumbia AL, John A (Melody) Longwith, La Fayette GA. 17 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, 1great-great grandchild, and several nieces and nephews also survive Mary Frances Longwith. 

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, in the Wilbanks Memorial Chapel with Bro. Marshall Kellett officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service after 11 a.m. at the funeral home.

Interment will be at Concord Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.