Frances Tibbitts Cates Michael

Frances Tibbitts Cates Michael passed away peacefully on January 3, 2023. She was born on July 17, 1928 to the late Elder Hollis and Marie Tibbitts. Frances was the oldest out of eight siblings and helped raise them. She graduated from Dallas High School and worked at Life of Georgia Insurance Company. Later, she met Alton, her sweetheart, and together ran their own business, Cates Garage. After Alton passed, Frances continued managing the property. She met Lawrence "Larry" Micheal and later they got married. Frances was very active in her community. She was a charter member of Captain Edward Hagen DAR, Daughters of the American Revolution, and she was active in garden clubs in Paulding and Cobb counties where she served as a judge for flower shows. She was active in Paulding County Saddle Club where she served in several positions. Frances was also a lifelong devoted member of Narroway Baptist Church. She enjoyed traveling and has visited all fifty states and seventeen countries. Frances was an incredible woman who loved her family deeply and will be very missed.

In addition to her parents, Joseph Hollis Tibbitts and Mary Emily "Marie" Crew Tibbitts, she is preceded in death by her first husband, Alton Cates; her second husband, Lawrence "Larry" Michael; her siblings, Joe Tibbitts, Fed Tibbitts, Ned Tibbitts, Annette Rakestraw, Emily Smith, Clo Ester Leeds, Lee Tibbitts, William "Billy" Tibbitts; son-in-law, John Shipp III; step-children, Harold Michael and Neal Michael.

Frances is survived by her daughter, Hilda Shipp; sons, Wyley Cates, Steve Cates and his wife, Sherry Cates; grandchildren, Jonathan Shipp, Mary Frances Poteet, Seth Cates, Dr. Wendy Cates; great-grandchildren, Cody Lucas, Nicholas Lucas, Elizabeth Cates, Braiden Shipp; great-great-grandchild, Ivy Lucas; brother, Reverend Hershel Tibbitts and Letty Tibbitts; sister, Alpha Kay Lyle; sisters-in-law, Carolyn Hosea, Meryl Daily and Jane Tibbitts; several nieces and nephews; stepchildren, Elton Michael, Peggy Burr; step-grandchildren, Mandy Michael, Derek Michael, Eric Michael, Allison Ryan, and Robbie Burr.

The family will receive friends at Clark Funeral Home on Saturday, January 7, 2023 from 5:00pm until 8:00pm. Mrs. Frances will lie in state at Clark Funeral Home on Sunday, January 8, 2023 from 1:30pm until 2:30pm. Funeral Services will be held at Narroway Baptist Church at 3:00pm with Reverend Hershel Tibbitts and Reverend Todd Tibbitts officiating. Interment will follow at Narroway Baptist Church Cemetery with Cody Lucas, Nicholas Lucas, Seth Cates, Jonathan Shipp, Braiden Shipp, and Micheal Poteet serving as pallbearers and with Camden Millsap and Cameron Corley serving as honorary pallbearers.

Clark Funeral Home is honored to care for the Cates-Micheal family during this difficult time.