Frances Nina Stephens Whitmire

Frances Nina Stephens Whitmire passed away peacefully into the arms of her beloved Savior Jesus Christ on August 16, 2023 at the age of 100.  She was at her home in Dillsboro, NC surrounded by her loving family.

Born September 20, 1922 in the Moses Creek area of Jackson County, Frances was the oldest of eleven children born to TR Stephens and Mariah Mills Stephens.  Frances was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Clyde Stephens, Ted Stephens and Fred Stephens, and her husband of 53 years – Tildeon E. Whitmire.

Baptized at Moses Creek Church as a young child, Frances learned “what a friend in Jesus” means and fortified her life with prayer. A wonderful prayer warrior, Frances could ease the pain of so many with her delicate spoken words. “Our most kind and loving heavenly Father I just want to thank you for another day …..”

Frances so dearly loved her darling sisters; Flora, Kay, Virginia, and Gaynell.  One can surely see the joy this family has shared during times of fun-loving cutups while shucking corn and stringing beans or loving support during trials and tribulations with meals and hugs.  

She treasured her brothers and enjoyed hearing their tall tales, jokes, and adventures of hunting and fishing - much like the trailblazers of yester year.

Thinking about Frances Whitmire and her life, one can compare her life to John Wesley’s rules of living “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” This best describes the soldier of God she became by doing her best to live as God lead her to live an amazing life.

She is survived by her sisters and brothers; Flora Haskett, Kay Potts, JD Stephens, Virginia Parris, Ralph Stephens, Mack Stephens, and Gaynell Bailey.  

Left to cherish her memory are her three children, Stephen E. Whitmire (Anne), Boyce Whitmire, and Joyce Ann Biggerstaff; eight grandchildren, Nina Edney (deceased), Allen Whitmire (Elaine), Lolita Lewallan, Joetta Sipes (Todd), Timothy Whitmire (Barbara), Patricia Allison, Walter Biggerstaff, and Erica Whitmire. In addition, she had twelve great-grandchildren and thirteen great-great-grandchildren who brought her much joy!

The family sends their deep appreciate to hospice, Meals On Wheels, and the care givers for their love and attention during France’s illness.  Special love and hugs to Joyce Biggerstaff who took dedicated loving care of her mother for seven years.

A visitation to honor France’s life will be held on Friday, August 18, 2023 from 10:00am to 11:00am at Lighthouse Baptist Church located at 2577 US-441, Sylva, North Carolina.  The service celebrating her life will immediately follow.Interment will occur at Shepherd Memorial Park in Naples, North Carolina at 3:00pm.