Frances Middlebrook

Frances Middlebrook, 92, of Whitney passed away Saturday morning, February 14,2015, in a Waco hospital. Funeral Services will be at 2:00 PM Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at the Church of Christ in Whitney with burial to follow at Bethlehem Cemetery near Whitney. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 PM Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at Marshall and Marshall Funeral Directors in Whitney.

Frances was born on April 11, 1922 in Robstown, Texas to George Milton and Alice Verbia(Smith) Allen. She lived in Maypearl, Donna, and the Rio Grande Valley, before moving to Hill County in 1933. They lived south of Whitney on the Bonner farm before moving to Johns Ranch at Steiner Valley, where she attended school until her sophomore year. Frances finished out her high school career at Whitney High School and graduated in 1939 with classmate, Thomas L. Middlebrook. They both attended Hillsboro Junior College for two years and were married on August 13, 1941. Thomas and Frances were parents of three sons and one daughter.

In 1951, Frances worked at the W.T. & Thomas Middlebrook Grocery & Mkt. where she learned to be a clerk and bookkeeper under the tutoring of her mother-in-law, Agnes Middlebrook. In 1960, the store became officially the Thomas Middlebrook Grocery & Mkt. Her work continued as a clerk and bookkeeper as well as a supervisor of the young men and ladies that worked there.
In 1979, they sold the building to Bartek Glass which sold it to the Colorado Street Grill.

Taking care of ill people seemed to be a natural instinct, as shown by her taking care of her mother-in-law for four years and then her own mother for another four years . But of course, her own children were her first priority as a mother and a care giver. Along with work and care giving, she was an active member of the Whitney Church of Christ and taught Children’s Bible Class for many years.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents, faithful husband and provider, Thomas; child, Sharron Booth; brother,W.E. Allen, and sisters; Opal Haney, Lois Clinard and Dorothy Ellen.

Frances is survived by three sons; Tommy and Deanne Middlebrook, Gary and Lorraine Middlebrook, and Keith and Karen Middlebrook; 20 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, 23 great-great-grandchildren; two sister-in-laws, several nieces , nephews, and many beloved friends

Viewing and Visitation

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ,Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Whitney
201 North Bosque Whitney, TX 76692

Funeral Service

2:00 PM ,Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Whitney Church of Christ
100 East Lincoln Whitney, TX 76692