Frances Grace Stathem, age 91, resident of Fort Scott Manor, died Monday, September 25, 2006 at Mercy Health Center. She was born June 13, 1915 in Blackwell, Oklahoma the daughter of Arthur Mott and Goldie Sturm Mott. She first married Glen Painter. They later divorced. She married Jack Stathem in 1954 at Herington, Kansas. He preceded her in death in1991. The couple made their home in Albuquerque, New Mexico for 30 years prior to moving to Fort Scott in 1991. Frances was a homemaker. She was a member of the Jehovah's Witness. She loved to travel.

Survivors include two daughters, Glenda Frances Nighswonger, Fulton and Nancy Muriel Painter, Golden City, Missouri. Also surviving is a brother, Bill Mott, Liberty, Missouri; 19 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Norman Larry Bliss, a daughter, Donna Lee Taylor; three sisters and one brother.

Following cremation, Bob Bergland will conduct a memorial service at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 30, 2006 at the Cheney Witt Memorial Chapel. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 1 p.m. until service time at Cheney Witt Chapel. Private family burial will take place at a later date at the Kincaid Cemetery. Services are under the direction of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas.