Frances Marion Bolding Witham

Frances was born August 2, 1930 in Atlanta, GA. Her mother was the late Maude Wells Bolding, an executive at the Flagler Co. of Atlanta and her father was the late Mark Bolding, a prominent Atlanta attorney and former assistant Attorney General of Georgia. Frances was raised in the West End section of Atlanta and attended Peeples Street School and was a 1948 graduate of the North Avenue Presbyterian School (NAPS). Her father died suddenly in 1934 at the age of 57 and Frances was raised primarily by her mother. During the depression and war years, Frances’ mother rented rooms in their house on Peeples Street to help make ends meet. After high school, Frances was employed as a secretary at the Flagler Co. In January, 1954 she married the love of her life, John Elwood Witham from Lima, Ohio and together they raised 3 children in the Cascade Hights section of Atlanta and in East Point, GA. Elwood was from a large family and Frances, being an only child, was thrilled to have 8 in-law families to visit on their frequent trips to Ohio.

Frances gave her heart and life to Jesus at an early age and was baptized at the “old” West End Baptist Church. Later she joined the Beecher Hills Baptist Church in Atlanta where she played the piano for children’s choirs for many years. Upon moving to Cumming, GA in the 1990s, she became a member of the Cumming First Baptist Church. All of her adult life was devoted to making a loving home for her children, her husband, and her mother. After her children left home, Frances became the secretary & receptionist for the Buffalo Forge Co. in Atlanta, retiring in the early 1990s. She loved to play hymns on the piano, crochet and knit, spend time with family and travel with Elwood.

Frances was a quiet, unassuming person who loved her family and her Lord, and she devoted her life to serving both. After years of failing health, a host of saints welcomed her to her heavenly home on September 19, 2024. Though we mourn her passing, we will rehearse our memories often and rejoice in knowing she is with the Lord and with so many who have gone before.

Frances was proceeded in death by her parents; Elwood, her husband of 56 years; all of her in-laws; and two grandchildren. She is survived by her son Mark (Nan) of Carrollton, GA, daughters Donna Eller of Woodstock and Sue Lowman (Jerry) of McClellanville, SC; grandchildren, Brian & Maegan Witham, Bailey & SaraAnne Eller, Joslyn & Ryan Ward, Joshua Lowman and Laura Kate Witham; and great grandchildren, Aspen, Scarlett & Kooper Witham, Ashton & Camryn Eller, and Wells Ward.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, September 21, 2024 at Sawnee View Gardens in Cumming, GA. In lieu of flowers please make donations to your favorite charity. Ingram Funeral Home, 210 Ingram Avenue, Cumming, GA 30040.