Frances Sledge, a longtime resident of Kyle, Texas, passed away on February 25, 2010.

She was born Frances Lillian Dunn on December 9, 1914, in Yorktown, Texas, to Aubrey and Fay (Johnstone) Dunn. She attended Yorktown schools and played violin in the orchestra. Her mother taught piano to local students and Frances learned to play first “by ear” and then by notes. In 1935, while Frances was in college in San Marcos, R.J. (Jack) Sledge, Superintendent of Schools, recruited her to teach string and choral music in the Kyle schools. Soon after arriving in Kyle, she met Terrell Sledge, a younger brother of Jack, and they married in 1937. While Terrell served as an army captain in WWII, a son, Edward Johnstone, was born (1942) and in 1946, a daughter, Jane Terrell. Meanwhile, Frances taught music in the Kyle schools until the late 1950s – high school girls’ choir and mixed choir for middle school students. She also taught piano in her home and formed, with Terrell, a Sunday afternoon string quartet. She continued to study music and played violin, viola and cello in orchestras in San Marcos and Seguin.

In 1955, Terrell Sledge passed away suddenly and Frances became a single parent for Jane, then 9, and Edward, 12. She was prepared for the transition and never missed a step. She continued to raise a small herd of shorthorn cattle on the pastureland behind her home and taught private piano lessons as well as choral music in the Kyle schools. She and some of her students formed the Amadeus String Quartet.
Frances was involved in the Kyle community as an organist in the Methodist church, a Democratic Precinct chairperson, a participant in establishing the Kyle Public Library, and continued to teach several generations of students throughout her career. She was an advocate for human rights, tolerance and fairness for all members of her community.

Frances loved her home and her life in Kyle and its people, from the first moment she set foot in Kyle seventy-five years ago — and she still does. Surviving family members are her son, Edward; daughter, Jane, and son-in-law, Rev. Mark W. Stoub; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and her extended family, the Kyle Community.

A celebration of Frances’ life will be at 2 p.m. Friday, March 5, 2010 at the Kyle United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Mark Stoub and the Rev. Barbara Aziz officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kyle Public Library, 409 Blanco Street, Kyle, TX 78640.

Arrangements under the care and guidance of Pennington Funeral Home. Guestbook and obituary online at www.penningtonfuneralhome.com