Frances Louise Tewksbury

Frances Louise Tewksbury was born October 2nd, 1930, to Frances Irene Phelps and William C. Phelps, Sr. in Petoskey, Michigan.

Several years later, Frances, her older brother Bill, and her mom moved west to Winslow, Arizona. Frances completed her schooling there where she was a cheer leader. After high school, she and Billy Jack Burgett were married and had one son Lonnie Richard Burgett. Billy Jack enlisted in the Army and two years later, he returned home to Winslow. Billy Jack went to work at a nearby ranch and lost his life in a ranching accident. Soon afterwards, Frances went to cosmetology school and got her license.

Several years later, Frances married John Q. Gillette from Young, Arizona. They had one son, Ernest Edward Gillette. A short time later, they moved to Globe. Frances worked at a beauty salon and later she worked at JC Penney’s. Several years later she was hired at the Gila County Health Department. There she worked with her best friend Mary Jane Steele. They traveled all over Gila County giving the required immunizations.

She and John Q. loved going to the horse races all over Arizona with their best friends, the Byrnes, the Hughes, and Dr. Skinner. Frances took care of John Q. until he passed away in 1987. After a couple of years, she and James Henry Tewksbury met and ended up getting married. “Tewks” and the Lotus Flower (as Tewks called her) enjoyed going to the casino. They were married 20+ years and James Henry passed away in 2012.

Frances always said that in her next life she was going to marry a man who would cook. Frances loved playing bingo and spending time at the casino. Apache Gold will surely miss her!

Frances is survived by one son, Lonnie Richard Burgett (Yolanda), grandsons Brandon Wayne Burgett (Angelina), Eric Brobeck (Michelle), granddaughter Bristol Leos (Albert), 9 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren and her best buddy Max, her cat.

Assisting the family; Lamont Mortuary of Globe located at 328 S. Hill St., Globe, AZ. (928) 425-5491