Frances Sterling

Frances Charlie Sterling, 82, a longtime resident of Boling, Texas, peacefully passed away in Dallas, Texas on the morning of November 23, 2015. Her sister, Ruby Sherrill, was at her side. Frances was born in Conroe, Texas on June 2, 1933 as the middle child to parents James Marion Vardaman and Cassie Carol Vardaman. She graduated from New Caney High School and subsequently moved to Boling. She married James “Boogie” Sterling in 1953, and together they built Sterling’s Vacuum Service and Boling Production Company. She is survived by her only son, Dr. James Carl Sterling, of Dallas and sister, Ruby Irene Sherrill, of Pledger, Texas. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews: Edward Marion Sherrill, James Ronald Everett, Elwood, Steve and David Stroder, Debbie Shepler, Marcie Davis, Tracy Davis, Cheryl, Paul, Robbie, Charles and Maurice Sterling, Melinda White, Katrina Waddell and Valerie Henson. She also is survived by her brother-in-law, Ross Sterling and her other special family, Dr. Joey Hamilton and Andrea Chalk Sherrill, as well as the Brehm kids (Brenda, Cynthia, Terry and David). She had many very close, dear friends in Boling as well as Dallas. Since August of 2014, she lived at the Belmont Senior Living Center in Dallas. She was loved by “The Girls” at the Belmont. A special thanks is given to Lisa Mach for her attention and friendship given to Frances. Frances was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Dorothy Lea Stroder, niece, Sherry Stroder, her beloved Percy and Church, her ex-husband, James Boogie Sterling and her best friends Joann and Hugo Brehm. Charlie, as her sister, Ruby, called her, loved animals and was involved in organizations helping neglected and abused animals along with spay and neuter programs. She loved her “grand-dogs” Mollie and Brindle and her outdoor cats, Coonie and Pitch. She loved to travel. Her favorite place to visit was the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee. After her divorce, she lived in Pigeon Forge, TN before moving back to Boling. During that time she worked at Dollywood, Kmart, Dillard’s and First Colony Mall. Other places she enjoyed visiting included the mountains of Northern New Mexico. Frances loved the snow. Her favorite holiday was Christmas. She was an avid quilter and seamstress. She also greatly enjoyed cooking and was known for her banana pudding, pancakes, and chicken and dumplings to name just a few. Frances will be deeply missed by all who loved her. A Memorial Service will be held at the Lodge in Wharton at 1:30 PM Saturday January 30, 2016. Honorary Pall Bearers: Edward Sherrill, Dr. Joey Hamilton, Roger Pahmiyer, Ross Sterling, Ron Reel, Ben Curry, Dr. Paul Krawietz, Jeff Smith, James Sherrill, Billy Beck, Johnny Byrd, Dr. David Brehm, Bob Satawake and Ambassador James “Wally” Brewster. In lieu of flowers, Frances would request donations to be made to animal rescue SPOT-Wharton (wcspot.org) or any other animal rescue service of one’s choosing.