Frances "Honey" Bodmer

Frances “Honey” Bodmer, age 76, passed away on Wednesday. September 4, 2024. She was born on August 6. 1948 in Kountze. TX to Oscar and Mary Hazel Drake Groze.

Fiery and devoted, whomever she loved and whatever she endeavored to do, Honey fully invested herself. The deep love that she had for her family not only endeared Frances to them, but they knew that she lived for them, believed in them and supported them. Throughout her life, her accepting nature welcomed strangers and family alike into her care and home. Growing up in Kountze, she was working as a carhop in a local drive-in, when up came a young wayfarer, Reggie. His heart was stolen straightway by Honey, and though it took a little persuasion, courting, and a good number of proposals, she said yes and asked for an Easter wedding. They married on April 13, 1968, and were blessed with two daughters. To her daughters and granddaughters, she was a protector. “MawMaw”, as her granddaughters called her, beckoned all of her girls into her home and daily life; her home was their home. She was tiny, yet mighty, and each of her family knew that she would fight for them with all that she had. She loved Reggie dearly, devotedly caring for him in every way. Her past-times were numerous, though she would often be found immersed in the Western channel, with Matt Dillon and John Wayne being among her favorites. However, during the season, Sunday was football day, and she was a Cowboys fan, unless the Packers were winning somehow. Always an abiding source of love, Frances lived well on this Earth. Though she is gone, she will be forever cherished by her family and friends.

Left to honor her memory is her loving husband of 56 years, Ernest Reginald “Reggie” Bodmer; daughter, Regina Sage; granddaughters, Monica Adams and husband, Robby, Blair Hughes and husband, Tanner, and Madison Sage; great-granddaughters, Ricki Hughes and Claire Adams; sisters, Lela Revia and Lois Forse; and a host of extended family, friends, and loved ones.

Frances is preceded in death by her daughter, Tammie Chessher; sons-in-law, Ricky Chessher and Marty Sage; brothers, James Groze, Buddy Groze, Sammy Groze; sisters, Betty Eppolito, Ruth Cryer, and Jo Carlisle; brothers-in-law, Harold Revia, Warren Carlisle, and Bobby Forse.

Visitation for family and friends will be Friday, September 6, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Lumberton Family Funeral Home, 766 S. Main St., Lumberton, TX 77657. Frances’ life honoring service will follow at 11:00 a.m., also at the funeral home, with Ira Braneff officiating. Per her request, her internment will be privately held by her immediately family.

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