Frances Gastinel

December 27, 2012

Mrs. Frances Wallace Gillett Gastinel of Columbus, 86, died Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012 at her residence.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, 2012 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Columbus with Brother David Grisham and Dr. Bill Hurt officiating. The body will lie in state one hour prior to service.
Burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Columbus.
Visitation will be held 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012 at Lowndes Funeral Home in Columbus.
Lowndes Funeral Home of Columbus is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Gastinel was born Sept. 6, 1926 in Brooksville to the late Odie V. and Audie Cates Wallace. She was the eldest child. Mrs. Gastinel was married to the late Broughton L. Gillet of Memphis, Tenn. for 54 years, and to the late Bill Gastinel of Jena, La. for two years. She worked for Sears Roebuck and Company in various positions for 28 years, retiring in 1982. Mrs. Gastinel was a long time member of Grimes Memorial Methodist Church in Memphis, Tenn., Nolley United Methodist Church in Jena, La., and for the last 11 years, a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Columbus. She worked with diligence and integrity in all her endeavors, from childhood throughout her life.

Mrs. Gastinel had a servant's heart and was actively involved in her church. She was an accomplished seamstress, an excellent cook whether at home or in the campground, a seasoned traveler and an enthusiastic dancer. She loved making jewelry and giving it away and collecting recipes. Mrs. Gastinel loved to fish, loved meeting and getting to know and making new friends.

Mrs. Gastinel is survived by sister, Betty W. Pharr (Ed) of Bella Vista, Ark.; brother, Ret. Col. Jack Wallace (Mary Jo) of Starkville; brother-in-law, Charles Henry Hall of Starkville; sister-in-law, Lou Wallace of Starkville; daughter, Lynnda G. Williams of Columbus; son, B. Kenneth Gillett of Decatur, Ga.; grandson, Michael E. Williams (Bonnie); granddaughter, Susan W. Austin (Neal); great-granddaughters, Jessica Veazey (Trey), Jenna Musgrove (Ryan) and Michaela Williams; great-grandsons, Ben Williams, Hunter Austin and Chase Austin; great-great-granddaughter, Maybelle Veazey; a host of nieces and nephews; and numerous friends from her activities at the Country Junction, the AARP, the Forest Singles Group, HEARTS After School Tutoring Program, The Eastern Star and the Palmer Home.

In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by sister, Dorothy W. Hall; and brothers, Odie Fred Wallace and Bradley M. Wallace (Sue) of Starkville.

Pallbearers will be Neal Austin, Hunter Austin, Chase Austin, Ben Williams, Ryan Musgrove and Trey Veazey.

Honorary pallbearers will be Herbert Junkin, Walt Long, Boyd Lennon, Rev. Gene Gillis, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Sr. Adult Women’s Sunday School Class and Barbara Coleman.

Memorials may be made to the Palmer Home for Children, P.O. Box 746, Columbus, MS  39703 or HEARTS After School Tutoring, 220 Alabama St., Columbus, MS  39702.