Mary Frances Culpepper

A Memorial and Celebration of Life service will be held for Mary Frances “Boots” Moore Culpepper, age 96, of Monroe, at Covenant Presbyterian Church, assisted by Mulhearn Funeral Home, on April 22, 2016 at 2 PM.. Rev. John Mabray and Boots’granddaughter Rev. Shannon Smith Kiser will be officiating. Visitation will follow at the church.“Boots” was born December 4, 1919, in Stonega, VA, and died April 14, 2016, in Monroe. Her parents, Dr. Daniel Milton Moore and Mazie Wakefield Moore, called her “Bootiful”, and the nickname “Boots” stuck from an early age. She was always a class favorite at Neville, where she was elected student body president for the class of 1936. She graduated from Agnes Scott College in Atlanta with degrees in physics and piano. Soon after that she married her high school sweetheart, Fred Carroll Culpepper, Jr. in 1941.The independent spirit she developed while Fred served in the 101st Airborne in World War II served her well during 62 years of marriage, during which she moved with their four children all over the US and supported Fred as his responsibilities grew at Ford, Bacon, & Davis. A true “Southern Lady”, she honed her skills as a premier hostess when Fred became Executive President of FB&D International; and that gracious, caring personality stayed with her, even in her later years.Boots was a member of First Presbyterian Church for over 80 years. There she was active in the Women of the Church, taught Sunday school, and supported the music ministry, playing the piano whenever needed. She was always interested in education and improving the community through active participation in the Junior League, PEO (chapter AE), Century Book Club, DAR, and The Monroe Symphony, and Musical Coterie of Monroe. She loved and respected people in all walks of life and cared deeply for those who crossed her path.She was predeceased by her parents; her brother, Daniel M, Moore, Jr.; and her husband Fred C. Culpepper, Jr. (2002). She is survived by her four children and their spouses: Dr. Fred C. Culpepper (Cheree), Charlotte, NC; Carol C. Smith (Dr. J. Wayne), Monroe; Dr. Dorothy C. Schween (John), Monroe; and Patricia C. Brady, Chapel Hill, NC. She was “Mama Boots” to her grandchildren: Dr. Pepper Culpepper, Florence, Italy; Scott Culpepper, Charlotte, NC; David Culpepper, Charlotte, NC; Rev. Shannon Smith Kiser, Springfield, VA.; Courtney Smith McKay, Arlington, TX; Ragan Smith Caputo, Birmingham, AL; Stephen Schween, Nashville, TN; Jennifer Schween Martinez, Monroe; and Laurie Schween, Monroe. She is also survived by 13 great grandchildren. The family would like to give special thanks to the devoted companions and caregivers who enriched Boots‘ life over recent years: Mona Mitchell, Pat Bynum, Sabrina Smith, Glendora Jackson, and Jennia Adams.Serving as pallbearers will be her nephew, Judge Milton Moore (Monroe); her grandsons, Scott Culpepper and Stephen Schween; and her grandsons-in-law, Patrick Kiser (Springfield, VA), Bart McKay (Arlington, TX), Pascal Caputo (Birmingham), and Vincent Martinez (Monroe).In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the United Way, Chennault Aviation and Military Museum, or the charity of your choice.Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mulhearnfuneralhome.net