Eleanor Frances Thrower McPherson, 92, of Charlotte, North Carolina, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away on Aug. 3, 2026.
Frances was born on Dec. 13, 1933 in Rockingham to Willie Mae Robbins Thrower and John Robert Thrower.
She grew up in Rockingham. Frances was 18 years old when she met John Patterson McPherson at the roller skating rink in Rockingham. She was wearing a homemade pale lavender skirt and matching bloomers. She kept the skirt ensemble all of her life. John had recently completed his service in the U.S. Navy and was scheduled to begin his studies under the GI Bill at North Carolina College in Raleigh (now N.C. State). John told Frances he was not going to college without her. John and Frances were married on Aug. 30, 1952. John graduated with a degree in Forestry. In 1972, John and Frances established their own real estate appraisal firm, McPherson Realty, which they operated together until 2007. They were married for 65 years until John's passing in June 2018.
Frances never finished high school before she was married. Being one of 12 children, education was not of the greatest importance to her parents. Earning money was. Her first job was at a department store. She was underage, so her father had to give his consent to the store owner so Frances could work there. Education became very important to Frances. After the birth of her first child, Frances went back to school to receive her high school diploma. She later studied at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte. Frances and John became lifetime members of the North Carolina Zoological Society where among the members, she formed many lasting relationships.
Frances enjoyed travelling. Her first airplane flight was with her family in 1974 to Hawaii. She travelled with the zoo to Africa several times and Peru. She enjoyed travelling within the United States and Mexico, Canada and Europe. She also enjoyed many gambling and sightseeing trips to Biloxi, Las Vegas and Reno with John and friends.
Frances is survived by her three children: son, John McPherson Jr. and wife, Alisa; son, Kurt McPherson and wife, Lillie; and daughter Karen McPherson Huntley. Grandchildren are Ian McPherson, P.J. McPherson, Sophie McPherson, Hannah Huntley Jones, Daniel Huntley and Sarah Huntley Matos.
Frances is preceded in death by her father, John Robert and her mother, Willie Mae; siblings, Elizabeth, Lillian, Margaret, John Calvin, Reid, Pauline, Ina, Helen and Norma. Her brother, Edward, is her surviving sibling.
Frances loved her family and friends. Frances was beautiful, kind, loving, good-hearted, gracious, generous, funny, intelligent and hard-working. She will be greatly missed. She had a warm smile and a twinkle in her beautiful blue eyes.
Funeral services will be conducted Friday, Aug. 7, 2026 at 2 p.m. at Watson-King Funeral Home Chapel in Rockingham with her son, the Rev. Kurt McPherson, officiating. Burial will follow at Eastside Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the North Carolina Zoological Society.
Online condolences may be made at watson-kingfuneralhome.com. Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham is serving the McPherson family.
