Frances (Espinosa) Sidwell

Frances (Espinosa) Sidwell (Fran) went to be with her Lord Jesus Christ on July 2, 2009 at the Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla, Missouri after a lengthy illness and courageous battle that she fought for several years. Frances (Espinosa) Sidwell was born on January 29, 1934 in Grand Junction, Colorado to Fermin and Grace (Medina) Espinosa. She grew up for several years in Cortez until her family moved to Ogden, Utah in 1950. She attended Ogden High and held several job positions in Ogden during her young adult life. She fell in love with Charles Thomas Sidwell (Sid) while he was stationed at Hill Air Force Base and they were married on October 16, 1957 at Warrensburg, Missouri and were married for thirty six years. The young married couple was stationed at several different base locations in the United States until Sid retired in 1966. Fran gave birth to her only child Annette on October 26, 1959. She was a devoted mother and her daughter was always the love of her life. Frances also shared her love to her two step-daughters Diane and Pat. Frances continued to work while raising her family. She was a civil service data processor fro 1968–1985. She and her husband enjoyed owning and operating a general store in Big Piney, Missouri from 1974–1984. Fran had a small area of the store sectioned off as a little café where she loved cooking and serving the Mexican food that she grew up on. Frances went back home to Utah for several years and helped her family care for both her parents and brother during their illnesses. She came back home to Missouri to be close to her daughter and her grandchildren whom she loved with all of her heart. She was a very devoted grandmother. Her grandkids were the joy of her life and she was always so proud of them. Her grandkids would just beam when they saw grandma. They loved her just as much as she loved them. Frances was blessed with many nieces and nephews and to some of them she was not only their aunt but their second mother. Those nieces and nephews have many wonderful memories of their Aunt Frances. As she and they grew older she enjoyed spending a lot of fun times with them and their families. Frances loved to knit and sew. She made some beautiful pieces of clothing. She enjoyed gardening, books, Mexican music and dancing and she enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. Fran settled down in Richland until her health no longer allowed her to live alone. She lived the last three years at the Life Care Center in Waynesville. Frances will always be remembered for her bright and beautiful smile, her love for life and her devoting love. Frances is survived by her daughter: Annette Welch and her husband Ed of Big Piney, MO; her grandchildren: Rebecca Welch of Springfield, MO, Christopher and Anna Welch of Big Piney; her sister: Oralie Dominguez of Ogden, Utah; nieces who were like daughters to Frances: Carole Naranjo of Roy, Utah, Dorothy Alves of Ogden, Utah and Nancy Lawrence of Layton; nephews who were like sons to Frances: Henry Espinosa and his wife Theresa of Riverdale, Utah, Jon Noriega and his wife Gen of Clearfield, Utah, Frank Noriega of Ogden, Utah and Mel Naranjo of Roy, Utah; step-daughters; Diane Sidwell of St. James, MO and Pat Hall of Roy, Utah; four step-grandchildren; Kenny Lewis of Rolla, MO, Angie Knokes of St. James, MO, and Brooke and Shane Hall of Roy, Utah; many other nieces, nephews and cousins, and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers: Delfino and Jo (Tasho) Espinosa and two nieces: Fredia and Debbie Dominguez. Funeral services were held at 12:00 Noon Monday, July 6, 2009 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory with Rev. Larry Harris officiating. Frances’ son-in-law, Ed Welch, read several poems in honor of his mother-in-law and also recalled his wonderful memories of her. The songs “I Can Only Imagine”, “You and Me Against the World” and “Amazing Grace, My Chains are Gone” were played. Serving as escorts were Chris Welch, James Scurlock, Sr., James Scurlock, Jr., Jack Spitler, Curtis Spitler, Robby Sapp, Todd Euglow, Henry Espinosa, John Noriega, Frank Noriega, Mel Naranjo, Rick Dominguez, Fred Dominguez and Del Espinosa. Burial followed in the Big Piney Cemetery with Father James Calasara officiating. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Frances Sidwell and may be left at Memorial Chapels and Crematory.

Frances (Espinosa) Sidwell

January 29, 1934 - July 2, 2009