Frances E. Thrift

SHELBY- Mrs. Frances Ethelee Thrift, 82, of 236 Thrift Rd., died Friday, March 30, 2007 at Cleveland Regional Medical Center. She was a native of Cleveland County, and daughter to the late Leonard and Betty Chamber Thomas. She was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, and was retired from the Dover Mill. She was known for her great cooking, especially her homemade fried chicken and biscuits.

PRECEDED IN DEATH BY: In addition to her parents, she was preceded by her husband Charlie M. Thrift, a son, Bobby C. Thrift, a daughter, Helen Sanders, three sisters; Rosa Lee Hamrick, Hazel Chapman, Fannie Lou Potts, four brothers; Ray, James, Carlton, and Frank Thomas, two grandsons, Tony Goins and Jimmy Lovelace; and two great-grandsons, Christopher Goins and Robbie Weeks.

SURVIVORS: Her son, Steve Thrift and wife Vicky of Reidsville, daughters; Norma Martin and husband Danny of Lattimore, Vickey Pruitt and husband Richard of Kings Mountain, Charline Lovelace and husband J. D. of N. Myrtle Beach, Mary Wilson of Shelby, Betty Rudicil and husband Charles of Port Richie, FL; one sister, Edith Hager of Huntersville; one brother, Robert Thomas and wife Estell of Blacksburg; 22 grandchildren including a special granddaughter and caregiver, Tammie Gantt, and many great, great grandchildren, nieces & nephews, and special canine companion, “Shell”, survive.

VISITATION: Saturday, March 31, 2007 from 6-8 P.M. at Clay-Barnette Funeral Home, and other times at the home.

FUNERAL: Sunday, April 1, 2007 at 2 P.M. at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church

LIE-IN-STATE: 30 minutes prior to the service

BURIAL: Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery

OFFICIATING CLERGY: Rev. Keith Dixon

MEMORIALS: Hospice & Palliative Care of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights, Shelby, NC 28150