Mary Frances Mclaughlin Olson

Mary Frances McLaughlin Olson died on June 27, 2017. A graveside service will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 30, at Oakwood Cemetery, 2124 S. 5th St., in Waco, with the Rev. Dr. Leslie King presiding. For those attending the service, please dress comfortably. Frances was born on the family farm in Speegleville, Texas, on December 14, 1924, to Lillie Chaffin McLaughlin and Cecil Blackburn McLaughlin. Her father died when she was six years old, yet she, her mother and sister remained on the farm. She attended Sanger Ave. Elementary School, Speegleville schools, and graduated from Waco High School in 1942. Frances married her high school sweetheart, Lyndon L. Olson, Sr., on September 3, 1944, at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Lyn was in the Army, and the newlywed couple made their home on various bases around the country. After the war, these young Central Texans moved back to Waco, where Lyn graduated from Baylor Law School and Frances relished her new role as a young mother. She was at her very best when caring for their sons. She was committed to her family and enthusiastically supported them as a leader of PTAs, Cub Scouts, and other activities. Frances was also community-minded and was active in historic preservation through her work with the Historic Waco Foundation, including leading roles in the Brazos River Pilgrimage and on the board of the Earle-Napier-Kinnard House. She served on the McLennan County Historical Commission for more than twenty years and was instrumental in getting McLaughlin Road named for her family, as it runs through the family farm. A love of country and genealogy led her to participate in the Daughters of the American Revolution, serving in many positions, including as a Regent for the Henry Downs Chapter. She was an active member of the Garden Forum Garden Club. As a proud Wacoan and a person who valued hospitality, she loved her work with the Waco Welcome Corps. She was an active supporter and early docent at the Strecker Museum and later the Mayborn Museum. Frances was a founding member of the McLennan County Bar Auxiliary and held many offices for decades. For over twenty years, she delivered the Auxiliary’s citizenship booklets to every McLennan County high school senior. One of her many accolades was being named a YWCA Pathfinder awardee. She was a member of Central Presbyterian Church for seventy-two years. Frances was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband of sixty-one years, Lyndon L. Olson, Sr. Frances is survived by her sister, Rose Myrtle McLaughlin (Myrt or Bobby to many); sons, Lyndon L., Jr., and wife, Kay Woodward Olson and Charles and wife, Kris Kaiser Olson; granddaughters, Elisabeth Lial Olson Drew and husband, Frank Drew and Anne Kristine Olson; great-granddaughter, Claire Elisabeth Drew; and great-grandson (due in September), Fuller Olson Drew. Also surviving her are brother-in-law, William A. Olson, Sr., and his family. Pallbearers are Rick Beckham, Tom Bond, David Dickson, Bill Dietz, Dick Farley, John Griffis, Sr., James (Jim) Nelson, Bill Nesbitt, and John Quinius. Honorary pallbearers are longtime family friends, Bunny and Dean Allison. The family would like to thank Ange Willis, John Searles, and the caregivers at Right at Home who were devoted to her care at the end of her life. Memorials may be made to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn St., Dallas, Texas 75219, or a charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.