Frances Staniforth (Elk City, OK)
Frances Field Staniforth, 97, peacefully passed from this life into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on March 16, 2023, surrounded by close family members united in love. Born in Haskell, Texas, on May 7, 1925, to Menard and Pearl Field, Frances was the youngest of four children. Her life’s journey was her story, much of which she chronicled for her family a few years ago.
At age five, in the midst of the Great Depression, the Field family moved to South Plains, Texas, where Frances would reside for almost seventy years. Soon after entering college at age 16, Pearl Harbor was attacked. She returned home with a single semester of college credits and worked for five years in the South Plains and Floydada communities. Her last job was at the First National Bank in Floydada. A favorite bank customer named “Big Billy” Staniforth recognized Frances’s infectious smile and engaging personality. He explained that his son, a Captain, and pilot in the Army Air Corps, would return home from the war, and he wanted Frances to meet him. A year after their introduction, this “arranged marriage” took place. Billy III was born one year later, and their daughter Sara arrived three years later.
Her mother-in-law, LaLa, taught Frances to cook and mentored her “in everything a bride should know.” LaLa’s gift to Frances was the equivalent of a graduate degree in home economics and entertaining etiquette. With her natural grace and charm, Frances became the ultimate hostess who loved any kind of party. Few people are blessed as peacemakers with humility and the ideal heart to live as a couple under the same roof with in-laws and young children. Frances adored LaLa as her mentor, and Big Billy became Frances’ best friend until his death in 1958.
Two of the great loves of Frances’ life were Billy Staniforth, Jr. and the game of bridge. She was dedicated to and successful at both. Following Billy’s death in 1999, after more than fifty years of marriage, she remained passionate about bridge and soon earned her Bronze Life Master the following year. Faith, family, and friends were her source of true joy. Frances never met a stranger and was that special “somebody” to countless people. In many ways, she was steady as a compass, providing guidance, wisdom, inspiration, and direction to everyone around her. She always knew the right thing to say or when to say nothing at all.
Her smile was as predictable as her 5 o’clock gin martini. Frances was known for her keen mind and indomitable spirit. She relied on her faith to accept and manage the valleys in her own life. Like the patchwork quilts she and Billy pieced together as “labors of love,” the separate squares of her life’s quilt connected family, loves, losses, new beginnings, friendships, and triumphs. Frances was an exceptional “Life Master,” adapting to change while remaining faithful and joyous. As a nonagenarian, her creative and artistic talents and interests continued to find new forms of expression. Her fabric ornaments fill Christmas trees, her quilts bring beauty to bedrooms, and her paintings warm the walls in many homes.
Frances sold their farm in 1999 and moved to Plainview, Texas. While married, Frances and Billy loved dancing at a barn dance or the Plainview Country Club. She enjoyed many church and social activities and adored having accomplished bridge partners in Plainview. In 2012, Frances accepted her daughter Sara’s invitation to live nearby and moved to Elk City, Oklahoma. Living independently yet near daughter Sara and devoted son-in-law Doug allowed Frances to simplify daily living, expand her circle of friends, and continue to enjoy the life she loved.
The Staniforth family enjoyed cool summers at their Cuchara, Colorado cabin, “Texas Lodge.” The lasting friendships made in Cuchara became the foundation of Frances’ love for the valley she called home for at least four months of every year for nearly 50 years. These loyal and rare friendships kept in touch and supported one another through life’s ups and downs. Frances, known as “Gamma” to her grand and great-grandchildren, was delighted that they shared her love for the natural beauty of the Cuchara valley and now vacation with generations of other long-time village families. The beautiful Cuchara Chapel has hosted Staniforth marriages and baptisms.
Frances is predeceased by her parents, husband Billy, son Bill, siblings, and many dear friends.
She is survived by daughter Sara and husband Doug Fryman and their two children–son Trey Fryman and wife Hannah and daughter Laura Clark and husband John; the children of son Bill—Sarah Canfield and husband C.W. and Graham Staniforth and wife Ashley; Sarah and Graham’s mother, Susan Hasslocher; dearest friend Johnye Voiles; great-grandchildren Wilson Canfield, Austin Canfield, Harrison Canfield, Avila Fryman, Judah Fryman, Lucas Fryman, Ethan Staniforth, Ruby Frances Clark; and numerous loving nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Elk City United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 15, at 10:00 AM, with Pastor Scott Rodgers officiating. In July, a memorial service will occur at the Cuchara Chapel in Cuchara, Colorado.
Frances’ family requests those wishing to do so direct memorials to the Cuchara Chapel Scholarship Fund, P0 Box 796, La Veta, CO 81055.
