Frances Gregory Austin, 86, of Buies Creek, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 5, 2026, after a period of declining health.

She was born in Harnett County, North Carolina on December 26, 1939 to the late Mary Aldine King Gregory and Howard Clyde Gregory. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband Demery Austin (2013); brothers Carvel Gregory, Joe Gregory, and Steve Gregory; sisters Betty Jean Coats and Gail Spence; and first husband Jerry Sercy who passed away in 1969.

Frances was a 1958 graduate of Buies Creek High School, where she was a standout player on the Women’s Basketball team, holding the record for most points scored in NC Women’s Half-Court Basketball. Selected as one of North Carolina’s 250 most promising rising high school seniors in 1957, she attended Tarheel Girls State at the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina (now UNC-Greensboro), sponsored by the NC American Legion Auxiliary. After earning an Associate’s Degree in Business Education from Campbell College, she worked in office administration at the NC Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church Headquarters in Dunn, followed by a lengthy career as a Regional Sales Executive for Morganite, Inc. of Dunn, retiring in 1994.

As a lifelong member of Buies Creek First Baptist Church, she had a great love for the church, its members, and ministries. Over the years she was active in numerous ministries, with a special passion for singing in the choir, participating in Sunday School classes, and supporting missions, youth, and children’s ministries.

Frances was an avid reader, interested primarily in biographies and presidential memoirs, could solve the most difficult crossword puzzles, and took joy in making her prized chicken pastry, nut cakes, and Velveeta fudge for family and friends.

Her love for and devotion to her family was deep and enduring. When widowed at the age of 29, she dedicated her life, love, and energy to raising her children, and was a model of determination, hard work, dependability, and generosity. These qualities would only expand as she became a cherished “Granny”, nurturing close relationships with each of her grandchildren over the years that included her infamous Easter Egg Hunts, summer trips to Surfside Beach, and continual encouragement and support as they became adults. As “matriarch” of the Gregory family after her mother’s death, she was committed to keeping strong family connections with her brothers and sisters and their families, making weekly phone calls to check-in on loved ones, and organizing annual Christmas celebrations at Blaylock’s Barn in Lillington.

Frances is survived by her daughters Sherrie Smith (Craig) of Clayton and Kim Howard of Buies Creek; stepdaughter Diane Austin of Fayetteville and stepson Ronnie Austin (Jodi) of Mesquite, Nevada; grandchildren Katie Crow (Scot) of Denver, CO, Kelsey Howard of Buies Creek, Davis VanderVeen (Brittainy) of Salt Lake City, UT, Aaron (Jessy) Austin of Daytona Beach, FL and Kansas Hanneken of San Diego, CA; sisters-in-law Cecilia “Seeky” Gregory of Lillington and Gisela Gregory of Buies Creek; cousin Faye Upchurch Sexton of Lillington; Katie & Davis’ father Dr. Scott VanderVeen of Lake Orion, MI, and many special nieces and nephews.

A private celebration of Frances’ life will be held by members of her immediate family, with The Rev. Doug Jones officiating and burial at Lakeside Memorial Gardens in Angier. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Buies Creek First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 160, Buies Creek, NC 27506.