Mary Frances Frye Warner

Mary “Frances” Frye Roberts Warner, 93, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, while surrounded by her children in her Lemon Springs home. Frances was born on November 29,1931 in Ramseur, NC to the late Paul Cecil and Sue Ellis Frye. After her mother passed away in 1941, Frances and her siblings (the late Paul Jr, James, Peggy & Richard) moved with their father to Broadway in Lee County. Frances built her life in Lee County and after graduating as co-Salutatorian from Greenwood High School, she married her first love, the late Wayne Cecil Roberts, and they were blessed with 3 children. After Wayne passed, she married the late William Gerald Warner In November of 1972, and the family grew to include Gerald’s 2 sons, Jan Seawell Warner and the late Gerald Layne Warner.

Many Lee County folks fondly remember Frances’ days of working at Wagoner’s Jewelers in downtown Sanford from 1951 until January of 1969. She loved helping young Sanford brides pick out their wedding patterns! She assumed the role of Postmaster at Lemon Springs in 1969 and retired from the US Postal Service in October 1992 after 23 years of faithful service. Many will tell you she was the unofficial “mayor” of Lemon Springs while she held this role.

Frances’ 93 years of life were exemplary of service, as she dedicated herself to her family, her church, her community and Lee County education. She was a faithful member of Lemon Springs United Methodist Church for over 60 years and was actively involved in United Methodist Women and taught the Young Adult Sunday School Class for many years. She often served as a lay delegate to the Annual Conference of the UMC and she “trained” many first-time pastors who were lucky enough to be assigned to Lemon Springs! She was an active member of the Greenwood/Tramway Optimist Club and the Lemon Springs Improvement Corporation and was instrumental in getting the park built for the community. After her retirement, she served as a substitute teacher and volunteered at Tramway Elementary School as a reading tutor for first graders who were struggling to read. That experience led her to run and be elected to the Lee County Board of Education in 1994, where she served a four-year term. In her later years, her passion for education led her to serve 12 years on the Board of Trustees at Central Carolina Community College and was awarded an Honorary associate’s degree. The college remained near and dear to her heart up to her passing.

Those left to continue her legacy are her children: Charles Cecil Roberts of Metairie, LA, Susan Roberts (Ron) Sullivan of Murrells’ Inlet, SC, Molly Roberts (Scott) Grant of Southern Pines, NC, and Jan (Phyllis) Warner of Fayetteville, NC. Frances is also survived by her grandchildren: Courtney Collins Rogers of Belmont, NC, Kyle Charles Roberts (Sam) and Blake Wayne Roberts (Tara) of New Orleans, LA, Christopher Wayne Grant (Abby) of Sanford, NC, Carson Allen Grant of Charlotte, NC and Kenneth Layne Warner of Fayetteville, NC, along with 2 great-grandchildren. In addition to her children and their families, she leaves behind her sister-in-law, Ella Gaster Frye, who has remained a loyal and constant friend until the end.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday April 5, 2025 at 11am at Lemon Springs United Methodist Church. Memorials can be made to Lemon Springs United Methodist Church, the Frances R. Warner Scholarship Fund at CCCC or Liberty Hospice.

May her memory be a blessing for all those who loved her.