Frances Hedgpeth Taylor, 96, of Celina, died Sunday, April 17, 2011 in a Plano hospital. Born January 24, 1915, in Whitewright, she was the daughter of Lelia and Howard Hedgpeth, and grew up on the family farm south of Whitewright. After graduation from high school, Frances attended North Texas State Teacher's College in Denton where she earned her Bachelor and Masters degrees in Education. She taught school (5th grade) for almost 40 years, most of which were in the Ft. Worth ISD. Frances married Leo Taylor on June 22, 1962, who passed away in 1965. She never had children of her own, but she had two nephews, Howard and Joe Canafax. In addition, she had two great nephews Daniel and Randal and a great niece, Andrea. She was predeceased by her only sister, Elizabeth Canafax. She had tales to tell of farm life, including milking cows in the wee hours of the morning, gathering eggs, dressing chickens, shucking corn, snapping beans, and all the 'luxuries' that went with being self-sustaining on a farm in the 1920's and on through the depression. One of her digits on an index finger was almost severed in a plowing accident and she always had a bent finger as a result (one of her bragging rights). After finishing her education, she developed a few hobbies, including jewelry making and hat making. The jewelry was made from wire, pipe cleaners, feathers, rhinestones, beads, string, and sometimes a little paint. But it was unique and ingenious. Her hats bore the label 'Francois Original'. She was very good at Calligraphy and produced countless certificates in school and church. Frances was involved with the Ft. Worth Toastmistress Club for several years. Throughout her life she tried her best to help those in need, including sitting with friends who were ill, visiting folks in hospitals & nursing homes, carrying food to shut-ins, and caring for those in need. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Celina, but was raised up in the Bethel Baptist Church near Whitewright. Frances wasn't necessarily 'headstrong'. She just exercised a great deal of 'independence'. And she wasn't argumentative--she was just hard to convince. Survivors include her nephew, Joe Canafax, and his wife, Barbara; great niece Andrea; and great nephews Daniel and Randal, and numerous cousins. Graveside services, with Reverend Ron Hathcoat officiating, will be at Oakhill Cemetery in Whitewright, on 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 23, 2011, under the direction of Donnelly's Colonial Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Wichita Falls, 4909 Johnson Road, Wichita Falls, TX 76310-2547. Please donate blood in her memory.