Frances Rusher Drewer

Frances Elizabeth Rusher Drewer, 98, beloved wife of William Thomas Drewer and a resident of Onancock, VA, passed away Thursday, October 13, 2016 at Riverside Memorial Hospital, Nassawadox, VA, with her devoted daughter Rosalie Daley at her side. She had resided at the Hermitage of the Eastern Shore for the last four years. Frances was born in Norfolk, VA on November 25, 1917 to Andrew Bernard and Rosa Hogwood Rusher. She grew up in Portsmouth, VA, where she later met her husband William on a blind date. He was an insurance agent assigned to the Portsmouth area.  They were married in 1940 and soon afterward, William was transferred to an office in Salisbury, MD. After living in Salisbury briefly, they were able to relocate to Onancock, VA.

Frances was a very devoted wife, a loving mother to her four children and a dear friend to many. She loved baking and was well-known for her “Hot Milk” cakes, of which she made many. Some of her favorite pastimes in later years were knitting and crocheting. Many family members, friends and lots of babies were blessed with her beautiful afghans.  She loved spending time with her family and friends and nothing made her happier than feeding them well and making sure they were well-cared for.

Frances is survived by her daughter, Rosalie Daley and husband, Bill of Onancock; her granddaughter, Virginia (Jenny) Taylor Haga and her daughter, Virginia Leigh of Lynchburg, VA; her granddaughter, Beth Wheeler and husband, Wayne, and their two sons, Michael and wife Sarah and son Evan, and Benjamin Wheeler, all of North Chesterfield, VA; her grandson, Christopher Drewer and wife, Blythe and their daughter, Shea of Nottingham, MD; her grandson, Christopher Daley and wife, Jessica of Onancock; her great-granddaughters, Delaney Taylor and Sydney Taylor of Snow Hill, MD and Linsey Otto of Virginia Beach, VA; her daughter-in-law, Isabelle Drewer of Newport News, VA; and several dear cousins, nieces and nephews, as well as many friends.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Frances was predeceased by her two sons, William T. Drewer, Jr. and George B. Drewer; daughter, Irene E. Drewer; grandson Brian T. Taylor; and son-in-law, Eldred Thomas Taylor. She was also predeceased by her two brothers, Dr. William D. Rusher and his dear wife, Helen, and Andrew B. Rusher, Jr.

Frances graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth, VA and worked for C & P Telephone Company after graduation. Her dream as a young woman was to become a nurse. While she was never able to pursue that professionally, she lovingly cared for many family members and friends throughout her life.

Frances was a member Market Street United Methodist Church and, in her earlier years, she was an active member and former president of the Soroptimist Club of Accomack County.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the Hermitage of the Eastern Shore and the Fourth Floor medical staff and the Hospice team of Riverside Memorial Hospital for their attentive and loving care of Frances.

A graveside service will be conducted at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, October 16, 2016 at Fairview Lawn Cemetery in Onancock, with The Reverend J. Barton Weakley officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Market Street United Methodist Church, 75 Market Street, Onancock, VA  23417.

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

Arrangements by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.