In her sixties, Frances Margaret Dockery Camp voiced one regret- she said she wished she had gone to college. So at age 65, that's exactly what she did. The Texas Wesleyan University instructors had no idea what a lively semester they would have whenever she was in one of their classes. She loved being in college and was a great role model for never being too old to try something new.

Frances was feisty, fierce, and very outgoing. She was also very kind and had an awesome sense of humor and contagious laugh. She was always there for her family, and invested much time and many miles driving across Texas to be wherever she was needed.

There were very few animals she didn't love. She once tried (unsuccessfully) to convince her husband to let her adopt a monkey named Beaver.

Frances was a wildly imaginative storyteller who often left friends and family unsure if they were hearing fact or fiction. You had to watch for the twinkle in her eyes to see if what she was telling you about really happened or not.

Frances was also an aspiring writer, skilled fiber artist and ceramics painter, and owned The Golden Needle knit shop in Odessa, Texas, many years ago.

She loved chocolate, fresh coffee, good jewelry, The Johnny Carson Show, big cars, decorating for Christmas, and fire engine red nail polish. She adored going to Furr's Pie Kitchen with her husband and best friends late at night if she couldn't sleep. Frances never left the house without lipstick on.

"If I wanted anyone to know about this," she used to tell us, "I'll tell them myself" - usually after receiving a speeding ticket or making a large, expensive purchase.

Frances was born December 10, 1928, and passed away on October 29, 2020. She was preceded in death by her husband, Searcy; son, Christopher; and her father, mother, and siblings. She is survived by her daughter, Linda O'Donnell; granddaughters Melissa Wood; Tracy Coan and husband Cliff; great grand children Ryan Brown and fiancé Kayla; Gage Wood and wife, Emily; Brittni Lamoreux and husband Jesse; Keith Wood; Alexandra Wood; Jessie Crawford and husband, Brian; and great-great granddaughters Hadley Lamoreux and Harlow Wood. She will be greatly missed.

Committal funeral services were held Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at 2:30 p.m. in Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio. Frances was laid to rest beside her husband, Searcy Lee Camp. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.