Frances “CeCe” (Thompson) Hays passed away after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s on February 20, 2020 in Midland, Texas at the age of 75. She was in the presence of her loving family. Frances battled this disease with grace, courage, and dignity. Frances was born in Topeka, Kansas to Phillip Mart Thompson and Bonnie Frances (Brown) Thompson on January 13, 1945. Frances was known by many names, “Mom”, “CeCe”, “Fran CeCe”, “Frankie”, “MeMaw”, “Grandma”, and “Red”. Frances was her husband Bob’s “Go Girl” always ready for the next adventure. Their journey took them from Topeka, KS, to Joplin, MO, Des Moines, IA, Richardson, TX, Midland, TX, Abilene, TX, Wichita Falls, TX, and retiring in Apache, OK and the last five years back in Midland, TX to be closer to their daughter Kathy and son in law David and their grandchildren and great grandchildren. They loved to take long drives, walks, playing golf, and tennis and making an afternoon out of a twenty dollar free play at a local casino always enjoying each other’s company. Frances loved to paint, crochet, tackling a large puzzle and putting on garage sales as well as mapping out a few garage sales that she could attend before the sun came up. Over the years Frances and Bob fostered 15 children, she had so much love to give. One thing was certain, the children she had the honor of fostering benefitted from all that love. Frances loved hosting family holidays, playing board games with family or one on one competition between her and Bob; she took no prisoners. She enjoyed Family poker games, puzzles with the grandkids and being the candy and Popsicle lady for the neighborhood kids in Apache. Frances was a big supporter of her children’s and grandchildren’s activities, Volleyball, Basketball, Track, Softball, you name it and she was there in the stands whooping it up always the loudest cheerleader. This didn’t go over well at academic events. While living in Apache, Ok, Frances liked to stay busy and to give back to her community. She volunteered with the Chamber of Commerce, meals on wheels, and the Apache Rattlesnake round up association just to name a few. She was active in the Red Hat Society, Sewing Club, and loved attending the Community Bible Study. Frances even gave politics a run when she threw her hat in the ring for City Clerk/Treasurer. Frances never met a slot machine she didn’t like, always donating Bob’s hard-earned money to various casinos in and around Apache, Ok. Frances is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 50 years Robert W. “Bob” Hays, her daughters Kathy (David) Garcia of Midland, TX., Anna (Glenn Sr.)McBride of Ponder, TX,, Kate Christian “Chrissy “of Apache, OK., Kristen (Jeff) Bair of Houston, TX., sons James “Jimmy” Reigle of New Braunfels, TX., Rob (Kathy) Hays of Cleveland, Ohio. Grandchildren, Jon (Jennifer) Garcia, Ashton (Keith) Peacock, Glenn Jr., Daniela (Lionel) Ontiveroz, Jordan, Madison, Joshua, Juliana (Chaz) Storm, Paige, and Jenna. Great Grandchildren, Paxton, Knox, Dayami, and Dalaney. Sister and Brother in law Katie and Jim Patterson, niece Mary Kate, nephew Jimmy (Cynthia) Patterson of Apache, Ok. Frances loved to create magical moments with her grandchildren with her many talents but that didn’t include letting them win at board games or any other competition. She didn’t believe in handing out participation trophies, you had to earn the win. Frances was preceded in death by her parents Phillip and Bonnie Thompson, and five brothers, Charles, Arthur “Art”, Phillip “Bud”, and Don. The Thompson’s of Topeka, Kansas. The family would like to express gratitude towards her caregivers at the Younger Unit at Manor Park and Hospice of Midland, in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Meals on Wheels in your area. Visitation with the family will be Tuesday, February 25, 6:00-8:00PM at Crews Funeral Home. Funeral service is scheduled for Wednesday, February 26, at 10:00AM at the Apache First Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Apache. Arrangements are under the direction of the Crews Funeral Home.
When the Angel of the Lord showed up to escort Frances to the Kingdom of God, he was looking for a special person. You see God thought that Frances had suffered enough, and it was time for eternal rest in his Kingdom and time for a reunion with the family and friends that had gone before her. Frances asked, “what about my Bob, and my family”? The angel replied, “They will be taken care of”.
Bless her heart. What a full, loving and giving life she had. Thoughts and prayers to her family. Sounds like they have great memories to hold close to their hearts.
I remember Frances as a friendly, happy girl. If memory serves, and these memories go back decades to elementary school at Highland Park Central School, Frances' father either owned or managed movie theatres in Topeka. Periodically, Frances would give fellow students, usually during recess, movie passes provided by her father. Also, her father operated popular fireworks stands, that Frances and her siblings worked at, during the July 4 celebrations.
I agree with Pam Roscoe, it appears she led a full life. May she rest in peace.
I was unaware of her passing until I was reading the tribute to Craig Deeter and saw her "In Memory" notice. The internet provided her obituary that I posted.
I also remember Frances in grade school as a very happy person so full of life. I don't remember the movie theaters (maybe because she never favored me with a free ticket!) but I do remember that they ran a large fireworks stand for the 4th of July.
Warren Hummer
Obituary
Frances “CeCe” (Thompson) Hays passed away after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s on February 20, 2020 in Midland, Texas at the age of 75. She was in the presence of her loving family. Frances battled this disease with grace, courage, and dignity.
Frances was born in Topeka, Kansas to Phillip Mart Thompson and Bonnie Frances (Brown) Thompson on January 13, 1945.
Frances was known by many names, “Mom”, “CeCe”, “Fran CeCe”, “Frankie”, “MeMaw”, “Grandma”, and “Red”.
Frances was her husband Bob’s “Go Girl” always ready for the next adventure.
Their journey took them from Topeka, KS, to Joplin, MO, Des Moines, IA, Richardson, TX, Midland, TX, Abilene, TX, Wichita Falls, TX, and retiring in Apache, OK and the last five years back in Midland, TX to be closer to their daughter Kathy and son in law David and their grandchildren and great grandchildren.
They loved to take long drives, walks, playing golf, and tennis and making an afternoon out of a twenty dollar free play at a local casino always enjoying each other’s company.
Frances loved to paint, crochet, tackling a large puzzle and putting on garage sales as well as mapping out a few garage sales that she could attend before the sun came up.
Over the years Frances and Bob fostered 15 children, she had so much love to give. One thing was certain, the children she had the honor of fostering benefitted from all that love.
Frances loved hosting family holidays, playing board games with family or one on one competition between her and Bob; she took no prisoners. She enjoyed Family poker games, puzzles with the grandkids and being the candy and Popsicle lady for the neighborhood kids in Apache.
Frances was a big supporter of her children’s and grandchildren’s activities, Volleyball, Basketball, Track, Softball, you name it and she was there in the stands whooping it up always the loudest cheerleader. This didn’t go over well at academic events.
While living in Apache, Ok, Frances liked to stay busy and to give back to her community. She volunteered with the Chamber of Commerce, meals on wheels, and the Apache Rattlesnake round up association just to name a few. She was active in the Red Hat Society, Sewing Club, and loved attending the Community Bible Study. Frances even gave politics a run when she threw her hat in the ring for City Clerk/Treasurer.
Frances never met a slot machine she didn’t like, always donating Bob’s hard-earned money to various casinos in and around Apache, Ok.
Frances is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 50 years Robert W. “Bob” Hays, her daughters Kathy (David) Garcia of Midland, TX., Anna (Glenn Sr.)McBride of Ponder, TX,, Kate Christian “Chrissy “of Apache, OK., Kristen (Jeff) Bair of Houston, TX., sons James “Jimmy” Reigle of New Braunfels, TX., Rob (Kathy) Hays of Cleveland, Ohio. Grandchildren, Jon (Jennifer) Garcia, Ashton (Keith) Peacock, Glenn Jr., Daniela (Lionel) Ontiveroz, Jordan, Madison, Joshua, Juliana (Chaz) Storm, Paige, and Jenna. Great Grandchildren, Paxton, Knox, Dayami, and Dalaney. Sister and Brother in law Katie and Jim Patterson, niece Mary Kate, nephew Jimmy (Cynthia) Patterson of Apache, Ok.
Frances loved to create magical moments with her grandchildren with her many talents but that didn’t include letting them win at board games or any other competition. She didn’t believe in handing out participation trophies, you had to earn the win.
Frances was preceded in death by her parents Phillip and Bonnie Thompson, and five brothers, Charles, Arthur “Art”, Phillip “Bud”, and Don. The Thompson’s of Topeka, Kansas.
The family would like to express gratitude towards her caregivers at the Younger Unit at Manor Park and Hospice of Midland, in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Meals on Wheels in your area.
Visitation with the family will be Tuesday, February 25, 6:00-8:00PM at Crews Funeral Home. Funeral service is scheduled for Wednesday, February 26, at 10:00AM at the Apache First Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Apache. Arrangements are under the direction of the Crews Funeral Home.
When the Angel of the Lord showed up to escort Frances to the Kingdom of God, he was looking for a special person. You see God thought that Frances had suffered enough, and it was time for eternal rest in his Kingdom and time for a reunion with the family and friends that had gone before her.
Frances asked, “what about my Bob, and my family”?
The angel replied, “They will be taken care of”.
Pam Roscoe (Lower)
Bless her heart. What a full, loving and giving life she had. Thoughts and prayers to her family. Sounds like they have great memories to hold close to their hearts.
William A. 'Bill' Vickrey
Warren—Thanks For Sharing—
Warren Hummer
I remember Frances as a friendly, happy girl. If memory serves, and these memories go back decades to elementary school at Highland Park Central School, Frances' father either owned or managed movie theatres in Topeka. Periodically, Frances would give fellow students, usually during recess, movie passes provided by her father. Also, her father operated popular fireworks stands, that Frances and her siblings worked at, during the July 4 celebrations.
I agree with Pam Roscoe, it appears she led a full life. May she rest in peace.
I was unaware of her passing until I was reading the tribute to Craig Deeter and saw her "In Memory" notice. The internet provided her obituary that I posted.
Don Hervey
I also remember Frances in grade school as a very happy person so full of life. I don't remember the movie theaters (maybe because she never favored me with a free ticket!) but I do remember that they ran a large fireworks stand for the 4th of July.