Frances Ellen Riddle

Frances Ellen Riddle of Kosse passed away Saturday, September 20, 2014 at Windsor Health Care Residence in Groesbeck. She was 88. A Memorial Service celebrating her life will be held at 10:00 AM in the Old Union Church of Christ on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 with Bro. Glen Easterly officiating. Per her request she was cremated. Frances was born in St. Louis, MO on May 24, 1926 to John C. and Pearl (Crowder) Martin. She grew up in St. Louis and graduated high school there. While in school, she met and married her life-long love, Robert (Bob) Riddle. They knew each other throughout school and fell in love outside of a skating rink after both of their parents having known each other for years, sent the kids skating. They were united in marriage before graduating on August 12, 1942 In St. Louis and started their life of 72 years together. Coincidently, Bob’s sister, Frances married his wife, Frances’ brother Earl (Peck), so they traded last names. Some of the family’s most memorable times were traveling and one particular trip to California in the family’s pickup with a camper over the bed that was quite short of water proof. The kids were huddled in the back holding trash bags over each other to shed the rain as they made their way. Another very comical time was the families trip to Las Vegas and the kids were so excited to see the lights of Vegas they all screamed and startled Bob to the point he ran off the road and up on the sidewalk. They also had a family tradition of going camping on Thanksgiving and the beginning of hunting season. Frances had a deep love of her family and also for her iris plants and embroidery. She was a very talented and avid Polka dancer. Patsy recalled having to stay at home many times babysitting cousins while her elders went Polka dancing and she had a love for hummingbirds. In May of 1992 Bob and Frances moved their family to Kosse to escape the big city life and enjoy the rural way of life that Kosse had to offer. As an extended family, she was employed by Groesbeck ISD in custodial work and Clear Creek ISD in security. All the children called her “grandma” as did the fine nursing home staff at Windsor that cared for her. She was preceded in death by her parents, one son Richard L. Riddle, grandson Robert L. Riddle and three brothers and one sister. Frances is survived by her husband of 72 years, Robert (Bob) Riddle of Kosse; daughters, Diann M. Riddle Sanders of Riverside, TX, Debra S. Riddle Smith of Huntsville, TX and Patsy A. Riddle of Kosse, TX; one son, Robert J. Riddle of Ft. Worth, TX; nine grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.