Frances Belle Cullison, 92 of Fuquay-Varina died Tuesday July 28, 2009 at Wake Med Hospital in Cary, NC. Mrs. Cullison was born on the farm on January 8, 1917 in Clear Lake, WI, to Judson Chester Tanner and Belle Barringer Tanner.

A memorial service was held Sunday, August 2, 2009 in the Chapel of Apex Funeral Home, 550 W. Williams St. (Hwy 55), Apex, conducted by Reverend Steven Pritchett.

Mrs. Cullison is survived by her son, Michael Cullison and wife Morgan of Fuquay-Varina, NC; grandchildren: Tony Cullison and wife Angie of Minneapolis, MN, Lori Haynes of Cary, NC, Jennifer Hennesy and husband Tom of Bristow, VA, and Ena Sellers and husband Jason of Jacksonville, NC; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Frances graduated from Clear lake High School in 1934. She was Valedictorian of her class. Frances graduated from St. Paul Bible Institute and went on to attend the Alliance Bible School in Nyack, NY. Frances was devoted to the Bible and wished to serve her Lord so she and a classmate undertook a Mission assignment in Southeastern KY. They served there for 4 years.

But as WWII gained momentum Frances wanted to serve her country so she enlisted in the US Army. She had various assignments including Des Moines, IA, Fort Levenworth, KS, Camp Gordon, GA and Fort Bragg, NC. She attained the rank of Sergeant and was discharged in 1946. Frances is listed at the Women’s Memorial in Washington, DC and was an active member.

Frances stayed in Augusta, GA until 1950 when she returned to Amery. She worked at the Cornwall Clinic until retiring in 1986. She was active in the First Baptist Church where she was the pianist and served in other capacities as well.

In 1992 Frances moved to Charlotte, NC to be with her son and grandchildren. She dearly missed her friends and Wisconsin but family came first. In 1999 she moved to Apex, NC and eventually to Fuquay-Varina, NC to live out her final days. She loved children and volunteered many hours in the Nursery of her church. She knitted blankets, caps and sweaters for premature babies and donated them to the maternity Unit at Western Wake hospital in Cary, NC.

Memorial contributions may be made to Colonial Baptist Church, 6051 Tryon Rd., Cary, NC 27518, or to Wake Med Women’s Pavilion, 1900 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary, NC 27518.

Condolences may be made to www.apexfuneral.com