Mary French

Mary Gene French, age 92, went to be with our Lord and Savior on February 25, 2018. She was born in Wauchula, FL on March 17, 1925 to Mary Eva Wilkin Bailey and Eugene Theon Bailey. The family moved to Colquitt, GA when she was seven years old and then to Williston, FL in 1941 at the age of sixteen. She graduated from Williston High School in 1943, attended Georgia State Womens College in Valdosta, GA for one year before transferring to Stetson University in DeLand where she became a life member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Education in 1947. While there she met the love of her life Royal Langford French of Valdosta, GA. They were married at the First United Methodist Church in Williston on August 21, 1948. They were happily married for 63 years and blessed with a daughter Debra and a son Chip. Mrs. French taught school at Tiny Tot Kindergarten, Liberty Hall Academy, Williston Elementary and Joyce Bullock Elementary Schools over her 30 year career in Levy County, retiring in 1985. She was proud to have twice been the Teacher of the Year. She was a member of the Retired Educators of Levy County, Florida Education Association, the international teachers sorority Delta Kappa Gamma and the First United Methodist Church in Williston. She was a Charter member of the Williston Jr. Womans Club serving as their first President in 1950 and1951, past-President of the Williston Highlands Golf and Country Club Ladies Golf Association and a member of the White Rose Nursery Board of Directors. She loved her family and friends, enjoyed the beach, church, dancing to Big Band music, traveling, politics and the theater. Mary Gene is survived by daughter Debra French Jones (Dan) of Williston, son Royal "Chip" French, Jr. (Pam) of Jacksonville Beach and brother, Tom Bailey of Lake City. Grandchildren: Cara Wilkinson Fortney (Matt), Matthew Wilkinson (Kymber), Ashtin French, Adam French, Cody Hendrix, Kelly Jones Bishop (Tim) and Stephanie Jones Touchton (Bill). Great-Grandchildren: Emily Wilkinson, Matt Matt Wilkinson, Zack Wilkinson, Justin Fairbanks, Bailey Wilkinson, Jaxson Wilkinson, Noel Wilkinson, Blaine Wilkinson, Paxton French, Tyler Putman, Travis Bishop, Hobby Bishop, Maggie Iorio, Trace Touchton and Hannah Touchton. Sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews and extended family. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband Royal French, bother Bill Bailey and her parents. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church Childrens Home or Haven Hospice. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, March 4, at the First United Methodist Church of Williston with visitation beginning at 2:00 PM and the service at 3:00 PM. Burial will follow at Orange Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Danny Bennett and Rev. Barry Andrews officiating. Arrangements under the direction of Knauff Funeral Home Williston. SERVICES

Memorial Service

Sunday, March 04, 2018 3:00 PM

First United Methodist Church Williston, Florida 32696