Mary Frances Groves

A lifelong resident of Shreveport, Mrs. Mary Frances Cook Groves died March 2, 2015, at Live Oak Retirement Community where she had resided for 10 years. She was born October 30, 1923, to Fredrick J. Cook and Sarah Catherine Hinckle Cook, both Missouri natives. Family visitation will be held Sunday, March 8, 2015, at Rose-Neath's Southside Chapel from 5:00 - 7:00pm. The funeral service will be held Monday, March 9, 2015, at Rose-Neath's Southside Chapel at 10:00 a.m. Officiating at the service will be her son, Dr. Richard Groves, and Dr. Murry Hodge, Minister to Senior Adults at Summer Grove Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Forest Park West Cemetery. Officiating at the graveside service will be Mrs. Groves' granddaughter and her husband, Leslie Fontaine Rosencrans and Matt Rosencrans. Both are on the ministerial staff at Seventh and James Baptist Church in Waco, Texas. Mrs. Groves died at 91 years of age and was healthy for most of those years. She enjoyed people, and during her healthier years, it was often said that if the Live Oak Retirement Center bus was headed out, she was on it. She competed several years in the Senior Olympics for Live Oak and proudly showed her awards to all who visited. She loved God, her family, and little children. She was known mainly for two ministries in her life. The first was the child care that she provided in her home for moms who worked outside the home and wanted a good environment in which to leave their children during the day. That career lasted 28 years, and she was keeping the second generation of children in many families at the time of her retirement. She never had to advertise; word of mouth kept her in business, and she often had a waiting list. Every child called her "Mammaw" or "Mammaw Groves." While she was a firm caregiver, she loved each of the little ones who entered her home and her heart. She taught the children manners, songs about Jesus, how to treat others, and good behavior rules in general. Mrs. Groves' second ministry, which also spanned many years, was a card ministry. Over the years, she mailed thousands of cards-anniversary, birthday, get well, encouragement cards-often to people she did not even know. She catalogued each card she sent so that the recipient would not receive the same card twice. People still talk of the cards they received from her. Mrs. Groves was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Earl Groves; her parents and nine siblings: sisters Florence Davidson, Mae Grunwald, Mabel Johnson and brothers Joe, Gene, Roy, Henry, Frank and Jake. Also preceding her in death also was a much loved daughter-in-law, Rosemary Bernard Groves. She is survived by three children: Richard Groves and wife Nikki, Sandra Groves Timmons and husband Earl, Sharon Groves Fontaine and husband Stephen. Also surviving her are seven grandchildren: Jon Groves, Peter Groves and wife Stacey, Carrie Groves Gwynn and husband Joel, Leslie Fontaine Rosencrans and husband Matt, Lauren Fontaine Ferguson and husband Matt, Kristy Timmons Mullins and husband Patrick, Lori Timmons Berry and husband Michael. The youngest survivors are her great-grandchildren: Erin Mullins, Pearce Mullins, Madeleine Berry, Catherine Berry, Piper Gwynn, Simone Gwynn, Sam Ferguson, Will Ferguson. Also sharing wonderful memories of Mrs. Groves are many nieces and nephews and an extended family member, Kimberly Baker. Pallbearers will be family members Stephen Fontaine, Earl Timmons, Patrick Mullins, Michael Berry, Matt Rosencrans, Matt Ferguson, Peter Groves and Jon Groves. Honorary pallbearers will be Mrs. Groves' granddaughters Carrie Gwynn, Kristy Mullins, Lori Berry, Leslie Rosencrans, Lauren Ferguson, and Kimberly Baker. After her husband died, Mrs. Groves moved to Live Oak Retirement Center and enjoyed life to the fullest while she was healthy. It was during that time that she met Evelyn Shaffer, also a Live Oak resident, who was Mother's friend to the very end. Thank you, Ms. Evelyn, for loving and watching out for our mother. When Mother's health began to decline, she was given excellent care by the West Wing staff, and the family is very appreciative of that. A special thanks to Debra Crump who loved our mother and spent time with her, teasing and laughing. It is a miracle those two did not get into trouble together. Also, a special thank you to Doras Wilson, Mother's nurse for a while. Her love for Mother was always evident, but she would go toe-to-toe (lovingly) with Mother when Mother would get a little stubborn or bossy, and Doras would always win! Amazing! During Mother's last months, she was given gentle, loving care by two CNAs especially, Linda Speed and Sharon Green. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the loving attention that you gave our mother every day. Your patience with her and your determination to give her the best care possible was very evident in everything you did for her. In October of 2014, Willis Knighton Hospice came into our lives, and that added another dimension to Mother's care. Thank you, Lucie Grove and your wonderful staff, for making Mother's last days with us as easy as possible. Knowing that Mother was receiving such all-around good care allowed the family to be at peace every day about her care, and for that, we are extremely grateful! Rose-Neath Southside 2500 Southside Drive 318-687-1256