In memoriam

[trof]

Mary Frances Stewart was the first (and only) Republican I've ever voted for.
I was president of our property owners association, and our annual membership meeting was approaching. She was running for county commissioner from our district, and called to ask if she could speak to us. Sure, glad to have her.

She was Mary Frances Stanford then, recently widowed. A retired local high school teacher, it was her first venture into politics. I later learned that our group was the first one she had spoken to. She was a bit nervous, but I had to admire her spunk. She gave a short talk, outlining her qualifications and what she wanted for our county. She answered a few questions.

She was elected to the county commission, and later re-elected. Last month she began the campaign for her third term.

Mary Frances was (I'm guessing) in her mid-to-late 60s during her first race. With blondish gray hair and a thin physique, she appeared to be somewhat wispy and frail. I came to learn that this was not the case. Mary Frances was a Steel Magnolia.

Over the intervening years, we became friends. I learned that she had a genuine concern for the people and the environment. Once, at a Mardis Gras party at our home, I confronted her.
"Mary Frances, you're a pain in the butt. Because of you, I can't vote the straight Democratic ticket."
She chuckled and said "Don't tell anyone, but I think I'm really a Democrat at heart. You know you can't get elected to anything down here if you're a Democrat." Too true.

Mary Frances later met and married Jim Stewart, owner of a local radio station. He became a friend too. Two years ago he was diagnosed with colon cancer. He passed away last year. Mary Frances kept on plugging. This lady rebuilt her life...twice. At this year's Mardis Gras party I asked her how she was doing.
"OK, I guess. I miss Jim, but the job keeps me busy."

Last Saturday Helen and I went for our regular morning walk. When we returned home there was a message from a friend on our answering machine. "Mary Frances was killed in a car accident this morning. That's all I know right now. I'm leaving for her house."

She was on her way, at 7 a.m., to a police/fire awards ceremony in a nearby town. It was foggy. According to eyewitnesses a cement truck ran off the road on the right shoulder, over corrected to pull back on the highway, and rolled onto her car. I can only hope her death was instantaneous.

The concrete truck driver is charged with DUI and vehicular manslaughter.

Sometimes life just sux.

[southerngirlwriter]

1. oh no....

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Good people always die way too young.

[Rowdyboy]

2. How truly sad

DUI at 7am. Probably had a really big time the night before and thought he could make it on a couple of hours sleep.

God rest her, I have a friend much like her. A local Republican judge who is one of the finest, most reasonable people I've ever known. Every 4 years I proudly vote for him.

[Bunny]

3. Aw Trof, that's a shame.

Sorry about your friend. It sounds like she was a great person.

There are good Republicans out there. I hope more of them will revolt and take back their party.