Frances Elizabeth Reynolds Potter Edwards

Frances Elizabeth Reynolds Potter Edwards
Of Watkins Glen, formerly of West Greenwich, Rhode Island. Frances passed on Friday June 9th after 88 productive years on earth. Born Frances Elizabeth Reynolds on September 26, 1928, she was the fifth of six children born to George A. and Mary V. (Whitford) Reynolds, in Exeter, Rhode Island. Fran lived most of her adult life in West Greenwich, coming to live in 2010 with her son John H. Potter (Robert D. Willits) in Watkins Glen.
Fran had worked with her first husband John H. Potter Jr. in West Greenwich where they founded and ran a textile manufacturing business “Potter Lace Works” in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Following her first husband’s death she worked at Bostitch, Inc. in East Greenwich, RI., working in inventory control until her retirement. She married for her second husband Seba D. Edwards, of Canonchet, RI in 1977.
Fran had many different interests through the years, among them working with computers, gardening, genealogy, politics, handwork, furniture refinishing, real estate law and of course visiting with friends and family. She also leaves a legacy that documents the family’s history back to the original immigrant settlers to Massachusetts and Rhode Island. She enjoyed sharing stories of her rural Rhode Island farm life, growing up without electricity, and her one room schoolhouse days. Also, Frances was loved and admired for her commitment to social good, personal industry. a dry Yankee humor and a thick down-east accent.
Fran birthed three sons: the first died at birth, her second, John survives, her third son, Gary Scott Potter passed at the age of 15. Fran was predeceased by her husbands, John H. Potter Jr. and Seba D. Edwards, both of West Greenwich. She and Seba were very active in St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Hopkinton, Rhode Island, where he served 35 years as Senior Warden.
Besides her son and son-in-law, Fran is survived by her loving grandchildren Melissa “Missy” Sue Potter Aprea (Vic) of Brooktondale, NY and Nathan Scott Potter of Coventry, Rhode Island.
She is also survived by an extended Rhode Island family whom she cherished dearly: A brother, George A. Jr. (age 95) and his son Randy Reynolds; a sister-in-law June Reynolds, wife of her late brother Clark Reynolds. Also surviving are nieces: Mary Joan Allen Boissoneault (Craig), Debbie Reynolds Moon (Danny), and Beverly J. Franklin Grundy (James). Also, her nephews: Clark and Ronald (Candy) Reynolds, James C. Franklin (Margaret) and Roger M. Franklin, and her former daughter-in-law, Cindy Payne Potter of Hope Valley, RI. Many grand nieces, nephews and numerous cousins also survive.
Fran leaves special friends Helen Blohm of Reading Center, Peggy Field of Watkins Glen and Alice Garey of Ithaca, New York.
Friends and relatives are invited to a celebration of Frances’s life on Sunday, June 25 at 1 P.M., at Saint James’ Episcopal Church, located at the corner of 6th and Decatur Streets, Watkins Glen, NY. Memorial donations may be made to the Saint James’ Episcopal Church Bell Tower and Building Restoration Fund, Saint James' Episcopal Church, 112 Sixth Street, Watkins Glen, New York 14891, more info at http://www.saintjameswg.org/tower-and-building-restoration-project.html. A Rhode Island celebration of Fran’s life will be held at a future date. You may "Light A Candle of Remembrance" or express condolences to the Family online at www.RoyceChedzoy.com Arrangements by Royce-Chedzoy Funeral Home, Watkins Glen.