Thursday, February 23, 2017 7:59 am

Mary Frances "Fran" Towery, age 77 of Forest City passed away Monday, February 13, 2017.

She was born in Rutherford County on March 9, 1939 and was a daughter of the late Baxter Cleveland Cole and Bertha Elizabeth Hooper Cole. Fran worked many years in textiles at Spindale Mills which later became New Cherokee Corporation where she retired. She was a member of Sulphur Springs Baptist Church and was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Survivors include her husband, John Wayne Towery, a son, John Glen Towery of Forest City, two daughters, Rhonda Lynn McCraw and husband Mitchell of Forest City, Gina Marie Tate of Forest City, two sisters, Jessie White and husband Ted of Forest City and Odessa Bailey of Bostic. Four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

The funeral service was held in The Padgett and King Chapel with Pastor Ron Wilkins officiating. Interment followed in the Eternal Hills Memorial Park. The family respectfully request that memorials be made to Hospice of Rutherford County, POB 336, Forest City, NC 28043.

The Padgett and King Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.