Frances W. Sprague

Frances W Sprague, 92, formerly of Olean NY, went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at Carlisle Regional Medical Center following a short illness. Frances was born Aug. 16, 1920, in Richburg, NY, the eldest of three children of Gerald and Mary Ames Wightman. She graduated from Richburg High School as valedictorian of her class. She studied music and graduated from Houghton College. She taught music in schools in Jasper, NY, and Bradford, PA. While teaching in Jasper, she met Cyrus L. Sprague whom she married on July 14, 1945, and who passed away on Oct. 8, 1998. She played piano and directed choirs in the churches in Borden, NY, Ashtabula, OH, and Bradford, PA, where her husband served as pastor. She became a member of the Olean First Baptist Church in 1980, when she and her husband retired from ministry at the First Baptist Church in Bradford, PA. In her retirement years in Olean she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and was an inspiration to many. Throughout her life she shared her faith and her love of music with her family and many others who loved her and will miss her. Surviving Frances are four daughters, Sharon (William) Beyer, of Norristown, PA, Shirley (Alan) Ziegler, of Reading, PA, Ruth Sprague, of Royersford, PA, and Deborah Sprague, of Carlisle, PA; three grandchildren, Laura (Victor) Abreu, Christopher Ziegler, and Jennifer (Richard) Jackson; four great grandchildren, Bryce, Matthew, Kendall, and Christopher; one sister, Helen Allen; one sister-in-law, Jane Sprague; and many nieces and nephews. Frances was pre-deceased by her husband, Cyrus L. Sprague; and her brother, Gerald Wightman. Friends will be received at the Olean First Baptist Church on Saturday, April 6, 2013 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, immediately followed by the Funeral and Committal Service. The Rev. Daniel McDowell will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in the Richburg Cemetery, Richburg, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Olean First Baptist Church, 133 South Union St, Olean, NY 14760. Arrangements are under the direction of Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, 646 E. State St. Online condolences may be made by clicking on the button above.