Frances Eileen VanCuren

Frances Eileen VanCuren of Midland passed away on Monday, September 18, 2023. A celebration of her life will be held at Golf Course Road Church of Christ on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.

Frances was born on January 30, 1938, in Picher, Oklahoma, to Arthur Walkenshaw and Mary Steele Walkenshaw. Frances was the oldest of five children (Janice, Larry Don, Diedre, and Bill). She married her husband, Ray VanCuren, on February 9, 1955, and they continued to live in Picher, where their oldest child, Sheryll, was born. In 1958, the family relocated to Grants, New Mexico, where three more children were born (Kenneth, John, and Mickey). During her years in Grants, Frances began working in the insurance business, which led to her opening her own insurance agency, VanCuren & Zerwas. Later, she sold her insurance agency and became a hospital administrator at Cibola General Hospital in Grants. In August of 1997, she moved to Midland and went to work at Odessa Regional Hospital, where she was the Administrator in charge of credentialing. While at Odessa Regional, she was honored by Iasis Healthcare with the Chairman’s Award for her outstanding service to the hospital.

Frances loved her family, especially her six grandchildren, and took every opportunity to be present in their lives. She attended football games, basketball games, track meets, theatre performances, and orchestra concerts where her pride in their accomplishments was always apparent. She was also blessed to have five great-grandchildren who added to her joy.

Anyone who knew her knew her faith in God was the most important part of her life. She wanted everyone to know the Lord; her volunteer work exemplified this. She volunteered with the women’s jail ministry at the Midland County Jail, worked with the women at Teen Challenge, and was a tutor for Fair Havens. She was an active member of GCR Church of Christ and loved meeting with her small group friends for Bible study and meals. She made many friends and touched many lives in ways that will live on long past her time on this earth. During these last years of her life, she was diagnosed with cancer, and there were many challenges at the end, but through it all, she remained a true and faithful servant to her Lord.

Frances is survived by her daughter, Sheryll Purcell, and husband, Orland, of Midland, son Kenneth VanCuren and wife Charise of Midland, son Mickey VanCuren and wife Sally of Truchas, NM, grandson Erik VanCuren and wife Stephanie of Midland, grandson Matthew Purcell of Austin, granddaughter Katie VanCuren of Midland, grandson Zachary VanCuren and wife Stephanie of Los Lunas, NM, granddaughter Becca Garza and husband Zachary of Midland, and grandson Kevan VanCuren of Truchas, NM; great grandchildren Theodore Purcell, Elisabeth & Aaron VanCuren, Andrew Garza, and Zayden VanCuren; sister Janice Delperdang of Houston and nieces Tanya Delperdang, Paula Dickerson, and Jennifer Malloy; sister-in-law Beth Lowery, nephew Bryan Lowery, and niece Kristie Lowery-Bentley.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Mary Walkenshaw, her husband, Ray VanCuren, son John VanCuren, sister Deidre McCauley, niece Shelley Delperdang; brother Larry Don Walkenshaw, and brother Bill Lowery.

The family would like to express their gratitude towards Hospice of Midland staff, including Kayla, Pam, and Sarah, who provided her and our family with such care and support, as well as to all of the friends and family who have provided and continue to provide so much support during this time.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Teen Challenge of Midland, GCR Building Fund, Hospice of Midland, or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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