Frances Laverne Gatewood Applebaum

Mrs. Frances Laverne Gatewood Applebaum, 86, died Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at her home in Bartlett, Tennessee. The funeral will be Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 12:00 noon in the Chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Rev. Larry McBee officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 10:00 A.M. Burial will follow in Clear Creek Cemetery.

Frances was born on September 20, 1938, in Oxford, MS, to the late Lillie Mae Waller and Henry D. Gatewood. She moved to Memphis when she was four years old. In 1955 she met her husband, Robert, at Rainbow Skating Center, marrying him a few years later in 1958. A retired receptionist, Frances began her career with Pediatric Associates in 1995, where she was known as a comfort to worried parents, a smiling face to the children, and a knowledgeable and trusted source to her coworkers and employers. Frances was an active member of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, TN. She deeply cherished her church, finding joy and friendship in the Family of Friends Life Group. Frances practiced her faith beyond the church walls daily by reading her Bible, showing love and kindness to all, and keeping a written list of prayer requests to bring to the Lord. The joy of her life was family, cherishing every moment spent with her husband, children, and grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Frances was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Robert J. “Bobby” Applebaum.

Frances is survived by a daughter, Lori Lynn Applebaum, who recently moved back home to Bartlett, TN to care for her mother; two sons, Steve Applebaum and his wife, Kim, of Cordova, TN and Ken Applebaum and his wife, Alexis, of Memphis, TN; a sister, Joyce Gatewood Cavallo of Forked River, NJ; seven granddaughters, Mallori Rush, Meredith Carter and husband, Aaron, Sarah Biggs and husband, Nick, Anna Mitson and her husband, Corey, Hope Applebaum, Faith Applebaum, and Grace Applebaum; and three great-grandchildren, Harper Rush, Hallie Claire Rush, and Barrett Carter.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Frances’ memory may be made to Bellevue Baptist Church, 2000 Appling Road, Cordova, TN 38016, or online at https://www.bellevue.org/give/.