Frances Chester Baumgardner

Mrs. Frances Chester Baumgardner, 85, wife of the late Robert Howard Baumgardner, and former resident of Onancock, VA, passed away Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at Riverside Shore Rehabilitation Center in Parksley, VA.

Born June 20, 1930 in Rockledge, GA, she was a daughter of the late Milo E. Chester and Minnie Lee Wynn Chester.  A true southern belle, Frances dedicated her life to church and family and was never afraid of a hard day’s work.  She took great pride in her vegetable and flower gardens, where you would often find her planting and pruning, even into her 70’s.  She was a longtime, devoted member of Onley United Methodist Church.  Frances will especially be remembered for her kindness and compassion as a caregiver to family and friends. 

Survivors include six children, Barbara Colonna and husband Richard of Exmore, VA, Eddie Baldwin and Florence Linton of Onancock, Joe Baumgardner and wife Marie of New York, Leroy Baumgardner and wife Laura of Onley, VA, John Baumgardner of Accomac, and Pam Taylor and husband John of Onley; three sisters, Shirley Hardy of Soperton, GA, Sandra Graham and husband Gabe of Rockledge, and Pearl Lundy of Vidalia, GA; a brother, Clifton “Tip” Chester and wife Gwen of High Point, NC; twelve grandchildren; twenty-nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.  In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her siblings, Rosabell Strickland, Eugene Chester, Mary Carter Barker, Rudolph “Funny” Chester, Bobby Ray Chester, Sr., and Ilamay Chester.

Funeral services will be conducted from the graveside at the Mount Holly Cemetery on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Wayne Hart officiating.  There will be a visitation at the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home on Friday, March 25, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Onley United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 98, Onley, VA 23418.

Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.