Mrs. Frances Gay

Frances Elizabeth Gay was born on November 18, 1938 to Willie & Bennie Lee Turman in Mount Carmel, South Carolina. She was the second child of seven children born to this union. Frances’ parents worked as sharecroppers until they found an opportunity to start a career at a chicken factory in Asheville, North Carolina. The family moved to Asheville in 1952.

As the oldest daughter, in addition to her schoolwork, it was Frances’ responsibility to care for her younger siblings. In Asheville, she attended Hill Street School and graduated from Stephens Lee High School in 1958. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in Asheville, North Carolina. In 1959, in search of better opportunities, she relocated to Evanston, Illinois. Shortly after coming to Evanston, she joined Springfield Missionary Baptist Church where she was a faithful member of the Senior Usher Board. While living in Evanston, she worked diligently packaging pharmaceuticals, packaging car parts, and working as a solderer in various factories on the North Shore.

However, on Sunday morning, she was often found frying chicken, cooking rice and preparing to usher at church. Frances was united in marriage to James Earl Gay. To this union, one daughter, Tomiko L. (née Gay) Ballard was born. Frances joined Second Baptist Church on Mother’s Day, 1994 where she worked diligently with the Senior Usher Board. Frances loved to garden, work outdoors, travel, shop and spend time with her family - especially her grandson.

Frances leaves to cherish her memory: her daughter, Tomiko (Marvin) Ballard of Rockford, Illinois; grandson, Demetrius LaRay Buchanan, Jr. of Lisle, Illinois; brothers Fred (Doris) Turman of Wadsworth, Illinois and Leroy Turman of Chicago, Illinois; sisters Gennette (Henry) Walker of Lithonia, Georgia and Byrdie Turman-Kent of Mount Prospect, Illinois; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends. After a short illness, Frances entered eternal rest on March 18, 2023. Her husband, parents, and two brothers (John Turman & Gene Turman) preceded her in death. Please keep the family in your prayers.

Arrangements entrusted to Thompson Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. Mr. Philip L. Gillette ~ Funeral Director

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