UNION — Mrs. Frances Virginia Martin Kearse, 92, widow of Franklin Mace Kearse, 269 Cambridge Drive, Union passed away, Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at her home.

Mrs. Kearse was born in Andrews, SC, Nov. 27, 1919, a daughter of the late Lancie E. Martin and Lula Kinsey Martin. She spent her childhood in the Andrews and Savannah, GA area. She graduated Winthrop College in 1941 and taught Home Economics at Manning, Saluda and St. Johns (Darlington) High Schools. Mrs. Kearse was active in her schools, church and community and was a member of the AHEA, FHA, Florence Pilot Club, Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority, among other organizations. She was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Florence.

Surviving are two sons, Bob Kearse and wife Carol of Union and Marty Kearse and wife Carolyn of Irmo; a sister, Joyce Jordan; four grandsons, Scott Kearse of Union, with whom she made her home, Jeff Kearse and wife Suzanne of Dacula, GA, Stacy Kearse and wife Teresa of Winder, GA, and Stewart Kearse of Columbia; great-granddaughters Lily and Caeli Kearse of Union; a great-grandson, Braeden Kearse of Dacula, GA; a great-niece, Allyson Water of Florence; and numerous other nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Kearse was predeceased by three sisters, Mary Gamble, Sarah Kimmel, and Jackie Bledsoe; and a brother, Lancie E. Martin, Jr.

Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, July 21, 2012 at Mt. Hope Cemetery conducted by Rev. Marion Aldridge. Pallbearers will be Stacy Kearse, Dr. Troy Gamble and Ken Godwin.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday evening at the Waters-Powell Funeral Home, 400 S. Dargan St., Florence, SC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Feed the Children Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, Alzheimer’s research or to a charity of one’s choice.