Mrs. Fran W. Torbert

Mrs. Fran W. Torbert, 88, of Thomaston, died Monday, December 19th, 2016 at her home. Funeral services for Mrs. Torbert will be held on Thursday, December 22nd, 2016 at 2 PM at the First United Methodist Church. Rev. Bill Barber will officiate and burial will follow in South View Cemetery. Mrs. Torbert's family will receive friends in the Service Sunday School classroom of the First United Methodist Church on Thursday from 1 PM until the funeral hour. Mrs. Torbert was born in Quincy, FL on March 8, 1928, a daughter of the late Obie Franklin and Gladys Sullivan Strom Watson. She was a 1946 graduate and class valedictorian of Gadsden County, FL, High School. After high school she continued her education at Bessie Tift College in Forsyth and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry and Bacteriology. Mrs. Torbert came to Thomaston in 1950 and taught 4th grade and 8th grade science for three years in the Thomaston City Schools System. She later served as a substitute school teacher for many years. Mrs. Torbert also worked part time for WSFT Radio and was hostess of the 'Women's Wonderland' and the Sunday 'Let's Meet' radio shows. She emceed the local Junior Miss pageants held at the Lee Auditorium and participated in local fashion shows held by local merchants, including Noell's Dress Shop. Her favorite outfit to model was a pair of Koret shorts. Mrs. Torbert was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Thomaston. She was an active member of the church and taught the Service Sunday School class for over 50 years. Her other church activities included being a volunteer in the church office for 10 years, keeping the church bulletin board up to date, helping coordinate summer youth programs and also serving as an assistant substitute secretary. In 1952 Mrs. Torbert married Billy Torbert, and their marriage of 46 years would last until his death in 1998. Mrs. Torbert was a passionate and serious bridge player. She hosted a Wednesday afternoon bridge club for others who shared her passion in her home for many years. She later played with the same amount of enthusiasm at the Senior Citizen's Center. Mrs. Torbert is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lynn and Mike Vaughan of Thomaston, and her grandson, Brad Vaughan of Woodstock. In addition to her husband and her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Eleanor Watson Taylor. Mrs. Torbert's family would like to extend a special thanks and recognize four ladies who were caregivers and who, more importantly, held a special place in her heart; Pam Homman, Joyce Middlebrooks, Melissa Matthews and Kathy Nipp. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 707, Thomaston, GA 30286, or the TV ministry of the First Baptist Church, 208 South Church St., Thomaston, GA 30286. Fletcher-Day Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.fletcherdayfuneralhome.com