Obituaries

Click here to return to Home Page 

FRANCES COPPOLA SHUMATE ANDERSON
May 22, 1918 ~~ June 11, 2010

Frances C. Anderson, 92, died Friday, June 11, 2010, at Britthaven of Charlotte.  She was born May 22, 1918 in East Douglas, MA to Francesco and Antonetta Sodano Coppola, who immigrated to the United States in 1900 from Pomigliano d’Arco, Italy. 

Frances was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Frank, Henry, Joe, Nick, Sully, Tony; and sisters, Annie Smythe, Carmella Wallace, Margaret Calitrop.  She was the last of the ten Coppola brothers and sisters.  She was also preceded in death by her husband, Earl Wayne Shumate, who died in 1968, and second husband, Floyd Anderson, who died in 1976.

She is survived by her son, Earl Wayne Shumate, Jr., and June Miller; and several nieces and nephews.

Frances was educated in the Douglas County Schools, and worked in Washington, D.C. during World War II.  She met Earl Shumate, from Elkin, NC, while he was stationed in Massachusetts.  They married in January, 1946 after Earl was discharged from the Army, and moved to Winston-Salem.  During her years in Winston-Salem, Frances was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church.  She retired from Hanes Knitting after 20 years, and worked at several retail businesses.

In 1989, Frances moved to New Port Richey, FL to be near her sisters, Annie, in Holiday, and Carmella, in Venice.  She enjoyed these years, especially the relationship with her dear friend, Earle Tinker.  After Annie, Carmella, and Earle passed away, Frances moved to Pineville in 1999.  She lived at The Dorchester for several years and moved to Britthaven when her health declined. 

Frances was a meticulous lady who took great pride in her appearance.  She enjoyed cooking and baking, and loved the Young & Restless, Carolina Panthers, Barack Obama, and Nikki, Wayne and June’s cat.  She will be remembered as a devout Catholic, who cared more for others than herself.  Fiercely independent and strong-minded, Frances courageously fought until her last moments. 

The family would like to thank the Doctors, Nurses, and Staff at Britthaven and Hospice & Palliative Care for their kindness and compassion, and the Priests and Eucharistic Ministers at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church for the comfort they brought during weekly visits to Frances.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 1420 East 7th Street, Charlotte, NC 28204 or the Humane Society of Charlotte, 2700 Toomey Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28203.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, June 15, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 1400 Suther Rd, Charlotte, NC  28213.  Prior to the Mass, the family will receive friends at the Church at 10:00 am.  Burial will be at the Hollywood Cemetery, 451 North Bridge Street, Elkin, NC 28621 at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.