Frances Overman Cruciani

Frances Ruth Overman Cruciani passed away at her daughter's home, on January 4, 2017. She died peacefully with Karen by her side and had just said ""what a beautiful day, I'm alright."" She was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 9, 1934. She grew up on Louise Avenue and was a member of Hawthorne Lane Methodist Church. She graduated from Central High School in 1952. During high school, she won a beauty and pie-making contest and was crowned the Miss Cherry Pie Queen of North Carolina. She went to the Woman's College of North Carolina (now UNC-G) and was the sweetheart of Sigma Chi at Davidson College. She met her future husband, Joseph Russell Cruciani, while attending summer school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. They met at the Y Court on the UNC campus and shared their first kiss at the Old Well. They were married on June 4, 1955, and remained sweethearts until his death in 2014. They raised their family in Stonehaven in Charlotte and were members of the Sardis Presbyterian Church. Frankie was an avid tennis player and played at Sardis Swim Club, Cedar Forest and Carmel Country Club. She also enjoyed a supper club and Nocturnes, a dance club in Charlotte. She was deeply involved in supporting her children in all their activities and sporting events and was a Girl Scout leader. After Joseph retired, they moved to the mountains of North Carolina and became members of Sparta Presbyterian Church. She had the bluest eyes and the brightest smile and was adored by her husband and children. She is survived by her daughters, Linda, Karen and Elaine, grandson Evan Lewis, son-in-law David Lewis, and Karen's partner Kim Ritter. A memorial service will be held on May 28, 2017 at 2:00 PM at Sparta Presbyterian Church. Those wishing to remember her may make a donation to the Sparta Presbyterian Church, the Parkinson's Disease Foundation or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).