Frances Purvis Rock

July 22, 2022

Frances Purvis Rock passed away on July, 22, 2022. She was born on April 5, 1928, in Ft. Worth Texas, the only child of Frank H. and Sophia Bahan Purvis. She attended The Hockaday School in Dallas, TX and attended University of Colorado in Boulder where she received a bachelor’s degree in English. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. While there, she met and married her husband, Frank D Rock II, in 1949.

After a brief time in Washington DC, they moved to Gordonsville VA to raise their family in the beautiful countryside. For 20 years there, Frances was the ultimate homemaker, wife and mother. She was quite a seamstress, making her own clothes, drapes and slipcovers. She knitted Christmas stockings and sweaters, needlepointed rugs and pillows. Her skills in the kitchen were legendary. Her family remembers her homemade soups, three layered chocolate cake and famous Texas barbecue brisket. She loved life on their little farm and enjoyed birdwatching, gardening and spending time with the special friends they made there. 

In 1971, her husband made a career change which took them to Lynchburg VA. With her quick wit and charming personality, Frances easily made friends wherever she lived and quickly made lifelong friends in Lynchburg. Her hobbies included golf, bridge, traveling, entertaining and reading. Frances loved her home and garden and was very proud when their home was on the Garden Club of Virginia’s Home Tour in 1981.  She especially loved spending her summers with her family and friends at her cabin in Boone, NC  

While in Lynchburg, Frances was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, the Blue Ridge Garden Club, and Boonesboro Country Club. 

Later in life she moved to Matthews NC to be closer to her daughter. 

She is survived by her three children, Sarah Shaber (Steve) of Raleigh NC, F. Daniel Rock III  (Leslie) of Macon GA, Fran Thomas (Rob) of Charlotte. Seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. 

Her family would like to thank Visiting Angels of Charlotte, and her friend and caregiver Darlene Williamson who took special care of Frances this year. 

Interment will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Smile Train at smiletrain.org or St. Joseph’s Indian School at stjo.org. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com

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Comments

  • Peggy Gloor

    I called her my "favorite Rock". She was a wealth of knowledge. I always enjoyed our conversations. My condolences to her Family. A great lady,

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  • Pam Stroupe

    She was a great lady to have known. My thoughts and prayers to the family.

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  • Leigh C Doyle

    My condolences to the family for their loss . . . My mother, Betty Leigh, so enjoyed her trips to the cabin with Frances. I feel sure that they are reminiscing about their times together and looking down on their loved ones from heaven.

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  • Lisa Keenan

    What a wonderful, graceful, loving and beautiful person your mom was. She was an important part of my childhood, thank you for sharing her. I’m so sad to hear this news.

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  • Ray and Bruce Howell

    Oh how we will miss her!?

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  • Ray and Bruce Howell

    Oh how we will miss her!!♥️❣️?Ray and Bruce!

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