Frances Margaret Kennison Lewallen

February 16, 1925 ~ August 6, 2016

Frances Margaret Kennison Lewallen passed away August 6, 2016 in Vernal, Utah. Frances was born on February 16, 1925 to Naomi Ellen McDowell and Cruso Roberson Kennison. Interestingly, her birth certificate says February 15, 1925, but it was recorded incorrectly. She was born at home in Amarillo, Potter, Texas. She also was raised there and graduated from high school in Amarillo.

She lived through the heavy dust storms of Texas, the Great Depression, World War II and through diphtheria. As a youth, Frances wore mostly clothes made by her mother “because they didn’t have extra money for such things.” She had fond memories of hunting with her father. In her personal history Frances recorded that the family garden provided a lot of their food. Her mother died when she was in the 9th grade. That was a very sad time in her life.

After graduating from high school in 1942, she met her first husband, Dennis Joseph Hoyle that had moved to the Air Force Base in Amarillo. They were married in Dyersburg, Tennessee on August 27, 1943. Their daughter, Evelyn Dean was born shortly afterward.

After their divorce, she was working in Ladore, Wyoming and met her 2nd husband, Rebis Virgil “Doc” Lewallen. Frances had a son, Frank Virgil McDowell that was adopted by her aunt & uncle McDowell in Texas. Frances and Rebis were married on April 8, 1950 in Rawlins, Wyoming. Their daughter, Naomi Ann was born shortly afterward. In 1952, they went into partnership with her father running a Dude Ranch in Wyoming. It had great hunting, beautiful lakes, majestic places to ride horses. During that time their daughter, Pearl Marie was born.

Later they moved back to Casper, Wyoming. Her husband ran a hotshot business “Doc’s Hot Shot,” and she was the dispatcher. During those years of work and raising a family, Tim Coy, Ross Virgil, Dawn O’Lynn, and Denise were born.

After her husband died in 1989, Frances went on to serve LDS Missions in Spokane, Washington and Sacramento, California. She also served in the Denver Colorado Temple and the Billings Montana Temple.

Frances enjoyed doing genealogy, volunteering for the school district, fulfilling her church callings, and serving in the temple. Frances moved to Vernal, Utah in 2005 to live with her daughter Naomi.

Frances is survived by her children: Evelyn (Larry) Walker, Frank Virgil McDowell, Naomi (Daniel) John, Pearl Lewallen, Ross (Susy) Lewallen, Dawn (Michael) Cavaletto, and Denise (Donnie) Townsend.

Frances is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Rebis, and her son, Tim Lewallen.

A viewing will be held in Vernal, Utah on Saturday, August 13, 2016 from 7pm to 8pm at the Ashley Valley Funeral Home, 410 North 800 West.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 15, 2016 at the Casper 2nd Ward LDS Chapel, 2627 East 7th Street in Casper, Wyoming. A viewing will be at 11:00am and the funeral at noon.

Interment will be in the Oregon Trail State Veterans’ Cemetery following the service under the direction of the Ashley Valley Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be shared at www.AshleyValleyFuneralHome.com