Frances Whitfield Ridgway Smith (84) of St. Marys, Georgia, formerly of Macon, died peacefully
and with grace and dignity on May 14, 2022, following a courageous battle with cancer and
surrounded by her loving family.
Born on October 8, 1937, in Doerun, Georgia, Frances was the youngest child of the late Mary
Lizzie Underwood Whitfield and George Edmond Whitfield, Sr. She was always extremely
proud of the uniqueness of beginning her life in a log cabin built by her father using trees from
their family farm.
Always a gifted and accomplished student, she attended Doerun Public Schools where she
actively participated in the 4-H program earning numerous awards. Her senior year at Doerun
High School she received the coveted General Excellence Scholarship and graduated as the
1955 class valedictorian.
Frances was an honor graduate of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College where she served as
editor of the college yearbook and named a student superlative. She later transferred to the
University of Georgia where she was inducted into numerous scholastic fraternities, Kappa
Delta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Upsilon Omicron, prior to receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in
Home Economics in 1958.
While at the University of Georgia, she met Latimer Ridgway after an introduction from her
brother-in-law and sister. After graduation, Frances taught Home Economics in Savannah, Ga.
In 1959, she married Latimer Cook Ridgway of Canton, Georgia. They moved to Utica, New York
where Latimer continued his Master of Engineering Degree at Cornell University. While there
Frances worked for the Ford Foundation. They moved to Cleveland, Ohio. It was there she
began an outstanding thirty-year career as a home economist with the natural gas industry
beginning with companies in Cleveland and Charlotte, North Carolina.
Returning with her young family to Georgia, she immediately was offered a position by Atlanta
Gas Light Company in their Athens office. During her tenure there, she developed an
outstanding nutrition program for the UGA's School of Home Economics Education which
resulted in her receiving a distinguished national award from the American Gas Association.
Relocating to AGL's Macon office in 1974, her extraordinary leadership abilities and expertise
were quickly recognized by the communities they served. In addition to conducting numerous
culinary demonstrations, she frequently organized imaginative holiday events and retirement
receptions for company employees and their families.
Members of organizations such as The Shield Club, The Pilot Club, United Way and Greater
Macon Chamber of Commerce frequently called upon her organizational and decorating skills
for successful and many annual meetings. She also served as Beautification Chair for Macon's                                                                  downtown Counsel and for nine years was instrumental in planning the Opening Ceremony for
Macon's Cherry Blossom Festival on Coleman Hill.
Frances was an active member of Mulberry Street United Methodist Church serving as chair of
the Grounds Committee. She maintained active memberships in such prestigious organizations
as American Home Economics Association, Home Economists in Business, Career Women's
Networking and the Advertising Club of Central Georgia where she also served as president.
Following the death of her first husband, at 40 years old, Frances faced with perseverance the
challenges of becoming the sole caregiver of her two young daughters faithfully showering
them with an abundance of love, care and guidance. Her primary focus to raise strong,
independent, smart, talented, educated, caring and loving daughters at the ages of 13 and 11 as
new widow. Luckily, she and her girls were always surrounded by loving family members and
friends.
Later in life she married Emory Carter Smith, Jr., and they enjoyed many happy years together
until his death.
Frances was incredibly talented, creative and resourceful with a wide range of interests
including flower arranging, landscape design, interior decorating and exquisite fashion design.
She was a fabulous seamstress, and her craft began as a young child. She created her
daughters' special occasion dresses to perfection, even staying up all night to complete. Known
also for her generosity and service to others, she graciously shared these talents and gifts with
her friends, co-workers, relatives and communities wherever she lived.
Retiring to St. Marys to be near family, she enjoyed being active in Saint Marys First
Presbyterian Church and continued to enrich the lives of others by serving as president of both
the Newcomers' Club and St. Marys Garden Club, and the St. Marys Tree Board while
orchestrating the annual Arbor Day Celebration. She was always the chosen one or volunteer
for many years of public speaking engagements. Decorating historic Orange Hall at Christmas
with the St. Marys Garden Club was a favorite. She began the St. Marys Beautification Award in
2006. In 2021 she received First Place Award for the state of Georgia and the Outstanding
Garden Club Member of the Year for the Oleander District
In addition to her parents and her husbands, she was preceded in death by an infant brother,
Bobby Lewis Whitfield.
Leaving a legacy of faith, love, and strength of character, Frances' memory will be forever
cherished by her daughters, Millicent Ridgway Weathers (Hal) of St. Marys and Kristen Ridgway
Kull (Trent) of Rock Hill, South Carolina; her grandchildren, Annemarie Weathers of Atlanta,
Makenna Kull of Madison, Wisconsin, and Chase Weathers of St. Marys; her sister, JoAn
Strickland of Claxton; her brother, George Edmond Whitfield, Jr. (Mary) of Doerun; her sister-in-
law, Linda Ridgway of Doraville and several nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express its deep appreciation for the loving care Frances received during
her final illness from the staffs and caregivers of Magnolia Manor in St. Marys and Hospice of
the Golden Isles in Brunswick.

Visitation will be Sunday, May 15, 2022, from 5:00-6:30pm, at Allison Memorial Chapel, 10141
Colerain Road, St. Marys, GA 31558.

Funeral services will be Monday May 16, 2022, at 2:00pm, at Saint Marys First Presbyterian
Church, 100 Conyers Street E., St. Marys, GA 31558 with Rev. Rick L. Doouylliez officiating.
Burial will be private.

Donations may be made to Saint Marys First Presbyterian Church, 100
Conyers Street E., St. Marys, GA 31558; St. Marys Garden Club, 109 Dilworth Street, St. Marys,
GA 31558; or the charity of one's choice. Cards may be mailed to c/o Millie Weathers, 1101
Birdsong Trail, St. Marys, GA.31558

Allison Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.