Frances Rae Gilson

A celebration of life service for Mrs. Frances Rae Alexander Gilson will be at 11 am Monday, March 16, 2009 at the 1st Baptist Church of Natchitoches with Rev Oren Conner (grandson-in-law) officiating. Interment will follow at American Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday, March 16, 2009 from 9 am until service time at the church. Mrs. Gilson, 88, passed away Friday, March 13, 2009 surrounded by her family at Ollie Steele Burden Manor in Baton Rouge, LA. She worked for many years as a case worker for the State of Louisiana Department of Health and Welfare. For over 50 years she was a member of the 1st Baptist Church of Natchitoches. She enjoyed her membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Colonial Dames of the XVII Century. Her life was a testimony in giving. She loved the annual Christmas Festival in Natchitoches and was known for opening her home each Christmas season for visitors during the wonderful celebration. Those left to cherish her memory include her son, E.H. (Gil) Gilson, Jr. and his wife Kay of Natchitoches; three daughters, Dana Prince Kinard and her husband Dr. Curt Kinard of Baton Rouge, Mary Ann Gardner and her husband Dr. James Gardner of Central, LA and Frances Bernice Gilson of Baton Rouge; seven grandchildren, Christopher Gilson of College Station, TX, Chief Warrant Officer, Paul M. Prince, Jr. and his wife Michelle of Coltsneck, NJ, Mark William Prince and his wife Ellen of Tomsbrook, VA, Susan Rae Prince of Baton Rouge, and Polly Ann Johnson and her husband David of Baton Rouge, Laura Seabaugh and her husband Alan of Shreveport, Ginger Conner and her husband Rev. Oren Conner of Natchitoches; she was blessed with fourteen great grandchildren, many family members and special friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, E. H. Gilson; her parents, Dr. and Mrs. A.G. Alexander; two brothers, James Alexander of Baton Rouge and A.G. “Ladd” Alexander of Shreveport; one sister, Claire Thomas of Chapel Hill, NC. Pallbearers will be Chief Warrant Officer, Paul M. Prince, Jr., Mark W. Prince, David W. Johnson, Alan Seabaugh, Christopher Alexander and Royal Alexander. The family would like to thank the staff of Ollie Steele Burden Manor and Hospice of Baton Rouge for their care and assistance with Mrs. Frances during her illness. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Frances Gilson’s name to The Baptist Children’s Home, P.O. Box 4196, Monroe, LA 71203 and/or the 1st Baptist Church of Natchitoches Building Fund, 508 2nd Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457.