Frances Lucile Paxton Autrey was born in Greensburg, Kansas on October 13, 1921. Her parents were Benjamin Hampden Paxton and Carrie Johanna (Josie) Shuck Paxton. In August 1923 they moved to Jetmore, Kansas where her father partnered with Charles Ihloff in the Ford Agency until November 1939 when the partnership was dissolved and the Paxton family moved to Pratt, KS for a year then back to Greensburg. Frances and her sister Idabel moved to San Diego, CA in August 1942 to work in the aircraft factory during World War II. They both worked for the Navy for a time as well. Frances joined the Women Reserve of the Marine Corps in July 1943. Her recruit training was taken at Camp Lejeune in New River, North Carolina. Afterwards she served in Motor Transport in San Diego where she met her husband Van L. Autrey, another Marine. They were married July 22, 1944. Their only child Vally Christine (Autrey) Allen was born in San Diego, June 1945. In 1947 they moved to Greensburg, Kansas and in December 1948 to a farm in Indiana. In 1954 Frances was appointed the Postmaster of Newberry, Indiana. She served 27 years. In 1986 Van and Frances moved to Whittier, CA. Van died on November 17, 1997. Frances moved to The El Beulah Christian Retirement Community in Indianapolis in November 2009 to be closer to her daughter and son-in-law. She has two grandchildren Christopher Dean (Antonia Laurence) in Kinnesswood, Scotland and Amy Christine (Todd Beasley) in Columbia, SC, and two great grandchildren Esme Frances Allen and Samuel Michael Allen.
Frances is survived by her daughter Vally, brother Clark and sister-in-law Betty Paxton, her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and her many beloved nieces and nephews, great and great great nieces and nephews, and many cousins. She was predeceased by her husband Van, her brother Lloyd Clair (in 1931), her two sisters, Barbara Joanne and Idabel, her son-in-law Stephen Dean Allen and her parents, Ben and Josie. Past or present memberships or affiliations; Marine Corps Women’s Reserves, Order of the Eastern Star Newberry Chapter 198 (member over 75 years), Crossroads Guild with Easterseals, Indianapolis Optimist Club of Downtown, Charter member of The Women In Military Service For America Memorial, The Open Door Sunday School Class of Fall Creek Baptist Church, Green Hills Church, La Mirada, California, and La Mirada Symphony Guild, La Mirada, California. A Celebration of Frances’ Life will be held in the Club House at El Beulah Retirement Village, 7555 El Beulah Blvd. (82nd and Hague Rd) in Indianapolis, IN on Sunday, July 8 at 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Crossroads Guild, 4740 Kingsway Dr, Indpls, 46205 or to your favorite charity in memory of Frances. Arrangements entrusted to Albertsons Mortuary, Sherman Chapel, Indianapolis. www.albertsonsmortuary.com
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