Frances Dawsey Parker
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Frances Dawsey Parker, widow of Milton Parker III passed away recently in the comfort of her Beaufort SC home with members of her family by her side.
Frances was the eldest daughter of the late Wadus Woodson "June" Dawsey and Mary Dawsey of McClellanville, SC. She had three sisters; Katharine Wesselink, Lois McNeal ( preceded in death) and Junie Battistoni.
She had a large and extended family including two daughters, Aletha Leggette Price (Tony) and Mary Fermin Savage (Scott), three granddaughters; Jennifer Leggette, Karen Leggette and Emily Leggette all of Beaufort as well as two grandsons; Anthony Fermin of Bluffton, SC and Christopher Fermin of Beaufort. She was the proud Great-Grandmother of ten Great Grandchildren and one Great-Great Grandchild (preceded in
death).
Frances moved to Beaufort over 50 years ago from Charleston after working several years in pathology research at MUSC.
Frances was a self-taught, internationally-respected garden designer. She was greatly influenced in her knowledge of gardens by her own Grandmother and Mother.
In the Lowcountry, Frances designed and consulted on numerous gardens in The Old Point Neighborhood including The Castle and The Robert Smalls House. She also worked extensively on Spring and Brays Islands and was responsible for the design and caretaking of the gardens at Auldbrass Plantation in Yemassee SC. For years Frances owned-and-operated a plant nursery on Sycamore Street in Beaufort.
Internationally she was engaged by the Archbishop of Canterbury to mentor the head-gardener of his London residence, Lambeth Palace, and was invited along with her husband Milton, by the Archbishop, for an enjoyable stay there. For many years Frances served as a consultant to both Southern Living and Southern Accents magazines. Frances was an active supporter of the Historic Beaufort Foundation. Her husband Milton had been one of the founders of the preservation organization. She also served on the Tree Board for Beaufort County.
Frances was an early supporter of the Beaufort County Open Land Trust and in recognition of her contributions a tree was planted in her honor across from The Parish Church of Saint Helena. In addition they were both extensively involved with the Beaufort Little Theater and the Byrne Miller dance theater.
Frances was a voracious reader and especially loved a good English murder mystery. She was an accomplished cook and entertainer hosting numerous dinner parties including many memorable holidays with everyone seated around her large dining room table.
A service and celebration of her life will be held Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 11 a.m. at The Parish Church of Saint Helena in Beaufort, SC. Interment will be in the Churchyard next to her beloved husband.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations may be made to:
Friends of Caroline Hospice, 1110 13th Street, Port Royal, SC 29935.
Anderson Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family.