Frances Cannon

Mary Frances (“Frances”) Richardson Cannon, 81, of Sims, died peacefully in her home of 50 years on Sunday, July 20, 2025, after a long, yet brave battle with dementia.

Frances’s beautiful sprit is difficult to sum up in just one paragraph, but some of her past times included any time spent outdoors, especially at the beach or while gardening, dog races during a brief residency in Colorado Springs, serving as Assistant Troop Leader for the Girl Scout troop her children belonged to, laughing and making others laugh, learning how to bake cakes for special occasions from scratch, which were then beautifully decorated by her and devoured by those lucky enough to eat them, sewing anything, traveling, especially “out west,” and spending time with her grandchildren who knew her as “Mema.”

She is survived by her husband of 61 years Thomas E. Cannon; three daughters, Theresa Fulghum (James) of Wilson, Susan Murry of Greenville, and Rebecca Geisler (Jason) of Raleigh; five grandchildren, Kendall Wachtel, Hunter Murry, Tommy Fulghum, Noah Geisler, and Chloe Fulghum; brother Steve Richardson; and several nieces and nephews.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents Luther Richardson and Irene Lamm Richardson; brother, Vernon Richardson and sister, Jeanette Walston.

A celebration of life for Frances will take place for family and friends, but plans have not been finalized at this time.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Dementia Alliance of NC, 9131 Anson Way, Ste 206, Raleigh, NC 27615, www.dementianc.org

Arrangements by Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Dr. N, Wilson, 252-237-7171; www.wilsonmemorialservice.com