Frances Torres

Frances Dalton Torres

October 5, 1926 - October 6, 2021

Ridgeland, South Carolina - Frances Dalton Torres, 95, died Wednesday, October 6, 2021, due to Covid and length of years. A graveside service will be held Sunday, October 17, 2021, 2:00 pm, at the Grahamville Cemetery with the Reverend Doctor James A. Gibson, III, of The Church of the Holy Trinity, Grahamville, officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Church of the Holy Trinity, 2718 Bees Creek Road, Ridgeland, SC, 29936 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.

Frances was born in Gastonia, North Carolina to the late Ida Lee Meeks and the late Charles Otha Dalton. She had a brother, the late Charles Dalton, and a sister, the late Jean Dalton Johnson. Surviving family members are her three children, Cindy Torres Scott (Tom), Karen Torres, Henry Alvarez Torres, Jr. (Meg), grandchildren, Thomas Watson Scott, III (Melinda), Jennifer Scott Ferguson (Jason), Mackenzie Ruth Scott, Meghan Kathleen O'Neill, Tori Jeanne O'Neill, Devon Marcelina O'Neill , Nicholas Francis Alvarez O'Neill, Frances Ashley Torres, and eight great-grandchildren , Aden, Kaitlin, Hudson , Scarlett, Lincoln, Watson, Adam, and Elizabeth, who was born on Mima's birthday and named after her, Elizabeth Frances, four nieces, Jean, Susan, Sharon, Vickie, and her beloved friend, Ann Daniel.

Frances spent her early years in Gastonia, North Carolina. Her family moved to Charleston, South Carolina, during her teen years. Unfortunately, times were lean and she had to drop out of high school to help support the family. She received the rating of Photographer, CAF-3 and received clearance to work at the Navy Department, Public Works Department, Photo Lab, and the U.S. Navy Shipyard, taking pictures of every ship for Military Records that came up the Cooper River. Sometimes she would crawl over the rails of the Cooper River Bridge to get a good shot. Frances loved to dance and would attend the USO dances with her best friend. One visit she saw a very good looking man in uniform who had black hair and dark brown eyes. His name was Henry Alvarez Torres and he asked her out on a date for the next weekend. She waited for his arrival but he never showed. Little did she know, because he could not contact her, that his company was moved to Macon, Georgia, that very day. She finally received a letter from him explaining everything so all was forgiven. They continued to write letters throughout the war. After the war, Henry returned to Charleston and two weeks later they were married, February 15, 1946. Their marriage would last just three months shy of 60 years. A move to Ridgeland, South Carolina, and the opening of a Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store marked the beginning of a life in the grocery business.

Fran, as she was known by friends, loved her family, friends, church, cooking, and a great game of golf! She loved golf and played into her 80's. She was also good at finances, keeping the books at the Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store for a while as well as the home books. She was very good at card games but never count on her "letting" you win. She also loved sewing, crocheting, and knitting. She knitted or crocheted afghans for just about everyone in the family and some for friends. Her love language though, was cooking. Every time family came home there were plenty of home cooked desserts and food that would "make your tongue slap your brains out" as Dad used to say. She read through cookbooks as a past time and flagged every recipe that looked delicious. No one could fry chicken like "Mom", a task her children and grandchildren are still trying to accomplish.

Fran, Mom, Mama, Mima, has left behind an amazing legacy of love and care. She will always be cherished and missed.

The family would like to thank the faithful and loving caregivers who enabled Mom to stay home during her final years: Mary Graves, Ann Black, Melissa Thomas, Pam Williams, and Priscilla Willis.

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