SMITH – Frances Whitfield Ridgway Smith, 84, of St. Marys, Ga., formerly of Macon, died peacefully and with grace and dignity May 14, 2022, following a courageous battle with cancer and surrounded by her loving family.
Born Oct. 8, 1937, in Doerun, Ga., Frances was the youngest child of the late Mary Lizzie Underwood Whitfield and George Edmond Whitfield Sr. She was always extremely proud of the uniqueness of beginning her life in a log cabin built by her father using trees from their family farm.
Always a gifted and accomplished student, she attended Doerun Public Schools, where she actively participated in the 4-H program earning numerous awards. Her senior year at Doerun High School she received the coveted General Excellence Scholarship and graduated as the 1955 class valedictorian.
Frances was an honor graduate of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, where she served as editor of the college yearbook and was named a student superlative. She later transferred to the University of Georgia, where she was inducted into numerous scholastic fraternities, Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Upsilon Omicron, prior to receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics in 1958.
While at the University of Georgia, she met Latimer Ridgway after an introduction from her brother-in-law and sister. After graduation, Frances taught home economics in Savannah, Ga.
In 1959, she married Latimer Cook Ridgway of Canton, Ga. They moved to Utica, N.Y., where Latimer continued his Master of Engineering degree at Cornell University. While there, Frances worked for the Ford Foundation. They moved to Cleveland, Ohio. It was there she began an outstanding 30-year career as a home economist with the natural gas industry beginning with companies in Cleveland and Charlotte, N.C.
Returning with her young family to Georgia, she immediately was offered a position by Atlanta Gas Light Company in its Athens office. During her tenure there, she developed an outstanding nutrition program for the UGA School of Home Economics Education, which resulted in her receiving a distinguished national award from the American Gas Association.
Relocating to AGL’s Macon office in 1974, her extraordinary leadership abilities and expertise were quickly recognized by the communities they served. In addition to conducting numerous culinary demonstrations, she frequently organized imaginative holiday events and retirement receptions for company employees and their families. Members of organizations such as the Shield Club, the Pilot Club, United Way and Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce frequently called upon her organizational and decorating skills for successful and many annual meetings. She also served as Beautification Chairwoman for Macon’s downtown counsel and for nine years was instrumental in planning the opening ceremony for Macon’s Cherry Blossom Festival on Coleman Hill.
Frances was an active member of Mulberry Street United Methodist Church, serving as chairwoman of the Grounds Committee. She maintained active memberships in such prestigious organizations as American Home Economics Association, Home Economists in Business, Career Women’s Networking and the Advertising Club of Central Georgia, where she also served as president.
Following the death of her first husband, at 40 years old, Frances faced with perseverance the challenges of becoming the sole caregiver of her two young daughters, faithfully showering them with an abundance of love, care and guidance. Her primary focus was to raise strong, independent, smart, talented, educated, caring and loving daughters at the ages of 13 and 11 as a new widow. Luckily, she and her girls were always surrounded by loving family members and friends. Later in life she married Emory Carter Smith Jr., and they enjoyed many happy years together until his death.
Frances was incredibly talented, creative and resourceful with a wide range of interests, including flower arranging, landscape design, interior decorating and exquisite fashion design. She was a fabulous seamstress, and her craft began as a young child. She created her daughters’ special occasion dresses to perfection, even staying up all night to complete. Known also for her generosity and service to others, she graciously shared these talents and gifts with her friends, co-workers, relatives and communities wherever she lived.
Retiring to St. Marys to be near family, she enjoyed being active in Saint Marys First Presbyterian Church and continued to enrich the lives of others by serving as president of both the Newcomers Club and St. Marys Garden Club, and the St. Marys Tree Board while orchestrating the annual Arbor Day Celebration. She was always the chosen one or volunteer for many years of public speaking engagements. Decorating historic Orange Hall at Christmas with the St. Marys Garden Club was a favorite. She began the St. Marys Beautification Award in
2006. In 2021, she received a first place award for the state of Georgia and the Outstanding Garden Club Member of the Year for the Oleander District.
In addition to her parents and her husbands, she was preceded in death by an infant brother, Bobby Lewis Whitfield.
Leaving a legacy of faith, love and strength of character, Frances’ memory will be forever cherished by her daughters, Millicent Ridgway Weathers (Hal) of St. Marys and Kristen Ridgway Kull (Trent) of Rock Hill, S.C.; grandchildren, Annemarie Weathers of Atlanta, Makenna Kull of Madison, Wis., and Chase Weathers of St. Marys; sister, JoAn Strickland of Claxton; brother, George Edmond Whitfield Jr. (Mary) of Doerun; sister-in-law, Linda Ridgway of Doraville; and several nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to express its deep appreciation for the loving care Frances received during her final illness from the staffs and caregivers of Magnolia Manor in St. Marys and Hospice of the Golden Isles in Brunswick.
Visitation was 5-6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 15, 2022, at Allison Memorial Chapel, 10141 Colerain Road in St. Marys, Ga. Funeral services were 2 p.m. Monday, May 16, 2022, at Saint Marys First Presbyterian Church, 100 Conyers St. E. in St. Marys, Ga., with the Rev. Rick L. Doouylliez officiating. Burial was private.
Donations may be made to Saint Marys First Presbyterian Church, 100 Conyers St. E., St. Marys, GA 31558; St. Marys Garden Club, 109 Dilworth St., St. Marys, GA 31558; or the charity of one’s choice. Cards may be mailed to c/o Millie Weathers, 1101 Birdsong Trail, St. Marys, GA 31558
Allison Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.