Obituary for Frances Lee Torrence (Jernigan)
Mother Frances Lee Jernigan Torrence, a native of Marshall, Texas, and longtime resident of Mobile, Alabama was born August 25, 1936, to the union of Jimmie and Minnie Bell Jernigan. To this union three children were born, James, Frances Lee and Willie Dee. She entered into rest on Saturday, January 13, 2024, surrounded by her family.
Frances graduated from Elysian Fields High School in Marshall, TX. After graduation, she attended Bishop College and moved to Dallas, TX. She was employed with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for many years until she relocated to Mobile, AL. Frances met, dated, and fell in love with Fred Lee Torrence, Sr. They married on June 15, 1968, and they shared a special love. They not only loved each other, but they loved the Lord! Together they worked and shared the goodness of the Lord. They shared forty-seven beautiful years of love and devotion. Fred and Frances relocated to Mobile, AL, and became a part of the Emmanuel Seventh-Day Adventist Church. She was a loyal, faithful, and devoted member where she served in many capacities as a Publicity Committee member, Deaconess, Chancel Choir Member, Alter Guild, Senior Usher Board, and Youth Usher Board Leader. She loved the Lord and served Him with pride and honor.
After moving to Mobile, Frances was hired as secretary of the Newsroom at WKRG-TV5 on September 11, 1972. She loved her job! Over the years she and the newsroom became a family, and she was known as “Mom.” Her connections with the staff became long-lasting, and she maintained special relationships with each of them that will carry her memory forward. She managed all the needs of the newsroom with brilliance, enthusiasm, and kindness. She did it with a big compassionate smile, everyday. Frances was also known for her organizational skills. Before the computer, she was responsible for typing the names and details of all stories covered by the station on index cards, along with creating a filing system that she maintained. She could pull any index files at a moment’s notice when needed. She was the epitome of perfection. Frances retired from WKRG-TV5 on September 29, 2009. She gave thirty-seven years of dedicated service to everyone she worked with in the newsroom and at the station. She was beloved by all and will remain in blessed memory.
Mother Frances never gave up the fight until the Lord said your work is done. Mother Torrence was a woman of great faith, she did not waiver no matter what the circumstances were. She was faithful until death. On January 13, 2024, her work was done, and God called her to rest. She encouraged all of us to “Keep the Faith!” she told us...“I’m tired, I know where I’m going ...Keep the Faith.”
Mother enjoyed cooking and having family and friends over for dinner after church. She was known for her “zucchini squash casserole”. She enjoyed traveling, shopping, and spending time with her family and grandchildren. To know her, was to love her! She loved music ...especially the Gaither Homecoming and Gaither Band. She was the President of the “Gaither Club! ” They attended several Gaither Concerts!
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jimmie and Minnie Bell Jernigan; her husband, Fred L. Torrence, Sr.; her brothers: Reverend James Jernigan and Willie Dee Jernigan; father and mother-in-law, Cornelius Sr. and Matilda
Torrence; her grandson-in-law, James Demetric Hutchins; her special niece, Little Sandra Jernigan; her step-mother, Thelma Jernigan; sisters-in-law: Henrietta Torrence-Broom, Betty Torrence-Huey, Ella Louise Hogan, Kathryn
Torrence, and Linda Torrence; brothers-in-law: Cornelius Torrence, Bobbie Torrence and Henry Austin; aunt, Lessie Torrence; uncle, Robert Torrence; godmother, Catherine Altice; dear friends: Ollie Smith, Ann Parker, Lula Florence and Ethel Ray.
Frances leaves to cherish her precious legacy and loving memories, her children: loving and devoted daughter, LaTrenda Torrence-Salter, Fred (Sandra) L. Torrence, Jr., Sheloundus (Samuel) Torrence -Hale, Vanessa D. Hill, Dexter (Helaine) Stallion; grandchildren: Brittany Torrence, Samuel (Christal) Hale, II, Stephen Hale, LaTiah Stallion, Antoinne Stallion, and her devoted “twins”...Amber Darnelle Torrence and Ashley Frances Torrence-Hutchins; her loving great-grandchildren: Twanda Lee Nobles, Katilyn Jahleah Nobles, Jackson Miles Hutchins,Antoinne Stallion, Jr., and Lijah Stallion; her sisters:
Jessie Helen Jernigan, Adell Sellers, Lillie Hawkins and Alice (Henry) Gaines; sisters-in-law: Linda Torrence, Louise Torrence, and Esther Austin; two brothers: Elder Herman (Iris) Taylor and Elder Charles Sellers; aunts: Lettie Harris, Florence Waller, Grace Torrence and Betsy Barleston; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends; dear friends: Jean Dukes, Lillie Minor, Dorothy Harris, Catherine Jackson and Shirley Snell.
Frances graduated from Elysian Fields High School in Marshall, TX. After graduation, she attended Bishop College and moved to Dallas, TX. She was employed with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for many years until she relocated to Mobile, AL. Frances met, dated, and fell in love with Fred Lee Torrence, Sr. They married on June 15, 1968, and they shared a special love. They not only loved each other, but they loved the Lord! Together they worked and shared the goodness of the Lord. They shared forty-seven beautiful years of love and devotion. Fred and Frances relocated to Mobile, AL, and became a part of the Emmanuel Seventh-Day Adventist Church. She was a loyal, faithful, and devoted member where she served in many capacities as a Publicity Committee member, Deaconess, Chancel Choir Member, Alter Guild, Senior Usher Board, and Youth Usher Board Leader. She loved the Lord and served Him with pride and honor.
After moving to Mobile, Frances was hired as secretary of the Newsroom at WKRG-TV5 on September 11, 1972. She loved her job! Over the years she and the newsroom became a family, and she was known as “Mom.” Her connections with the staff became long-lasting, and she maintained special relationships with each of them that will carry her memory forward. She managed all the needs of the newsroom with brilliance, enthusiasm, and kindness. She did it with a big compassionate smile, everyday. Frances was also known for her organizational skills. Before the computer, she was responsible for typing the names and details of all stories covered by the station on index cards, along with creating a filing system that she maintained. She could pull any index files at a moment’s notice when needed. She was the epitome of perfection. Frances retired from WKRG-TV5 on September 29, 2009. She gave thirty-seven years of dedicated service to everyone she worked with in the newsroom and at the station. She was beloved by all and will remain in blessed memory.
Mother Frances never gave up the fight until the Lord said your work is done. Mother Torrence was a woman of great faith, she did not waiver no matter what the circumstances were. She was faithful until death. On January 13, 2024, her work was done, and God called her to rest. She encouraged all of us to “Keep the Faith!” she told us...“I’m tired, I know where I’m going ...Keep the Faith.”
Mother enjoyed cooking and having family and friends over for dinner after church. She was known for her “zucchini squash casserole”. She enjoyed traveling, shopping, and spending time with her family and grandchildren. To know her, was to love her! She loved music ...especially the Gaither Homecoming and Gaither Band. She was the President of the “Gaither Club! ” They attended several Gaither Concerts!
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jimmie and Minnie Bell Jernigan; her husband, Fred L. Torrence, Sr.; her brothers: Reverend James Jernigan and Willie Dee Jernigan; father and mother-in-law, Cornelius Sr. and Matilda
Torrence; her grandson-in-law, James Demetric Hutchins; her special niece, Little Sandra Jernigan; her step-mother, Thelma Jernigan; sisters-in-law: Henrietta Torrence-Broom, Betty Torrence-Huey, Ella Louise Hogan, Kathryn
Torrence, and Linda Torrence; brothers-in-law: Cornelius Torrence, Bobbie Torrence and Henry Austin; aunt, Lessie Torrence; uncle, Robert Torrence; godmother, Catherine Altice; dear friends: Ollie Smith, Ann Parker, Lula Florence and Ethel Ray.
Frances leaves to cherish her precious legacy and loving memories, her children: loving and devoted daughter, LaTrenda Torrence-Salter, Fred (Sandra) L. Torrence, Jr., Sheloundus (Samuel) Torrence -Hale, Vanessa D. Hill, Dexter (Helaine) Stallion; grandchildren: Brittany Torrence, Samuel (Christal) Hale, II, Stephen Hale, LaTiah Stallion, Antoinne Stallion, and her devoted “twins”...Amber Darnelle Torrence and Ashley Frances Torrence-Hutchins; her loving great-grandchildren: Twanda Lee Nobles, Katilyn Jahleah Nobles, Jackson Miles Hutchins,Antoinne Stallion, Jr., and Lijah Stallion; her sisters:
Jessie Helen Jernigan, Adell Sellers, Lillie Hawkins and Alice (Henry) Gaines; sisters-in-law: Linda Torrence, Louise Torrence, and Esther Austin; two brothers: Elder Herman (Iris) Taylor and Elder Charles Sellers; aunts: Lettie Harris, Florence Waller, Grace Torrence and Betsy Barleston; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends; dear friends: Jean Dukes, Lillie Minor, Dorothy Harris, Catherine Jackson and Shirley Snell.