Tomlinson Funeral Home & Crematory announces the death of Mrs. Frances Wood Dryden, age 85, of Swainsboro, on Friday, July 21, 2023, at East Georgia Regional Medical Center in Statesboro following a brief illness. Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 25, at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist Church of Swainsboro with Rev. Casey Shaw and Tommy Kirby officiating. The body lay in state at the church one hour prior to the time of service. Interment followed in the Swainsboro City Cemetery. The family received friends Monday, July 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Tomlinson Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Ed Daniels, Don Wilkes, Milton Gray, Richard McNeely, Craig McNeely, Jeremy Nasworthy, Wes Snellgrove, and Jeff Newsome. Honorary escorts were the Fidelis Sunday School Class, Sid Shephard, Pete Boatright, Jed Davis, Gaston Kirby and Lil Jay Williams.
Mrs. Dryden was born in Lake City, FL to the late Carl and Eula Walker Wood. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Swainsboro and a member of the Fidelis Sunday School Class. A true Southern lady, Mrs. Frances loved gardening and particularly loved roses, hydrangeas, and day lilies. Among many other things, she loved reading, especially romance novels, and had a deep love for animals and birds. Her favorites were cardinals, hummingbirds, rabbits, and turtles; always providing food and water for any that visited her yard. Mrs. Frances would frequently paint the shells of the turtles that visited her yard, enjoying this time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, providing the joy of having the same turtles coming back year after year. She was a devoted and fiercely independent Army wife, diligently standing by her husband during his career of more than 20 years. Mrs. Frances loved fishing with her husband and eating fried fish, especially catfish. Most important to her were her faith in God and her family, starting each day with her devotional. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Dryden is preceded in death by her husband, Marion “Louie” Dryden; brother, Selvin Wood; and her beloved Yorkie, Lucy.
Survivors include her daughters, Denise Dryden Neil (Bob) of Swainsboro and Julie Dryden Holland of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren, Jed Davis (Shaye) and Laci Davis Kirby (Tommy), all of Swainsboro, and Anna Holland of Columbia, SC; great-grandchildren, Kylie Davis (Lil Jay), Gaston Kirby, Lani Kirby, and Jillian Davis; great-great-grandchildren, Braylee Williams and Brooklyn Williams; sister, Sandra Wood Tucker of Bradford, FL; nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Memorial contributions may be made to: First Baptist Church of Swainsboro and/or Regency Hospice, 7 Allen Cail Dr. Suite A, Statesboro, GA 30458.
Tomlinson Funeral Home & Crematory was in charge of arrangements.
