Mrs. Frankie Shaw Propes

Frankie Gray Shaw Propes passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, October 22nd, 2023.  Frankie was born on December 16th, 1935 to Belton and Bertha Shaw of Troy, North Carolina.  After Frankie graduated as valedictorian of her class from Troy High School in 1953, she went on to work as a telephone operator for Centel.

Frankie met the love of her life, Rudy Propes, in high school and they married on August 20th, 1954.  In July of 1955, they added a beautiful daughter, Karen Lee Propes (Robson) to complete their family.  The Propes family moved to Elkin when Centel relocated there.  Frankie became an Operator Services Supervisor until her retirement in 1991.   She made many friends throughout her career that became like family.

In her retirement, she was able to spend her time doing the things she most loved.  Frankie enjoyed playing the piano, gardening, feeding the birds and deer, cooking, going on walks, playing pool, and fishing.  Her heart and her home was always open to any and every stray animal, and they were immediately made a part of the family.

Frankie was a wonderfully devoted wife, mother, and “nanny.”  She was caring, generous, compassionate, and selfless.  Her legacy will live on in those whose lives she touched in such special ways.  Frankie was, above all, a faithful follower of Christ, and she devoted herself to serving the Lord and others.  She had been a faithful member of Calvary Wesleyan Church since 1963. She served as a volunteer at Tri-C Christian Ministries and worked in her church’s nursery, youth department, with the senior adults and singing in the choir.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.  She is survived by her daughter Karen Robson (Rick), granddaughter Carla Henstock (Jason), and two great-granddaughters, Emma Frances Henstock and Lucy Kate Henstock.

A funeral service will be conducted on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. at Elkin Funeral Service with Rev. Stanley Stogner and Rev. Jesse Garmon officiating. Burial will follow at Crestwood Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tri-County Christian Ministries, P.O. Box 511, Elkin, NC 28621, or Surry Animal Rescue, 172 County Home Road, Dobson, NC 27017.