Garden City - Mary Frances "Sister" Drinkwater went home to be with her Lord on April 13, 2017

She was born on July 10, 1927 in Savannah, Ga. Frances was the daughter of Stanley and Dessie Burgess. She was married to the love of her life, the late Billy Drinkwater on May 20, 1950. She was a homemaker and a devoted Air Force wife. Together they made a great team as they served their country for 20 years and were stationed in England, Savannah, Germany and North Dakota. After his retirement from the service she secured a job as payroll clerk for Candler General Hospital when it was located on Abercorn Street. She continued in this position until she retired in 1978 after Candler moved to its current location on Reynolds Street. She took an early retirement in order to share in the care of her aging parents with her siblings. While working at Candler, she and Billy continued working together as a team as they started a business from the ground up and she served as the Co-owner and the first Secretary/Accounts Payable and Receivable Clerk.
Over the years she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and served on hospitality teams that served families meals during sicknesses and death. She was a member of Woodlawn Baptist Church.
To say Frances loved her family would be an understatement. She was happiest when she was able to cook a big meal and be surrounded by her family. Her turkey and dressing for Thanksgiving was much anticipated each year. She embraced new technology and enjoyed her iPhone, iPad, Candy Crush and loved connecting with family and friends on Facebook. She was also a huge fan of the Atlanta Braves.
Frances was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, her parents and two great-grandchildren and a nephew. She is survived by daughter, Donna Krombholz and husband Michael "Mickey"; son, Steve Drinkwater and wife Dale; daughter, Pat Davis and husband Theron; Grandchildren: Carrie Zimmerman and husband Paul; Troy Krombholz and wife Susan; Lindsay Holloway and husband Chace; Bevin Casey and husband Carey; Jessie Davis; Gable Drinkwater; Andy Davis and wife Bridgett; Kaylyn Hinkle and husband Jake. Great-grandchildren: Ella, Andrew and Ethan Zimmerman; Tobijah and Micaiah Krombholz; Tivoli, Cutler and Timber Holloway; Piper, Tabby and Selah Casey; Gideon Hinkle. Sister, Mildred Crager and husband Roy and families; brother, Gerald Burgess and wife Lois and families; sister Ann Cowart and husband Jim and families.
In lieu of flowers the family request that remembrances be made to Hospice of Savannah, P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, GA 31416 and/or Woodlawn Baptist Church, 407 Talmadge Avenue, Garden City, GA 31408. Special thanks to Frankie Owens and the staff of Hospice of Savannah for the care they gave during these last months.
Visitation: 10-11 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home. Funeral: 11 a.m. on Tuesday in the chapel of the funeral home with burial to follow at 2 p.m. at Hillcrest Abbey East Cemetery located at 1600 Wheaton Street in Savannah.
Thomas C. Strickland and Sons Funeral Home – West Chatham Chapel – 901 W. Highway 80, Pooler, GA 31322 (912) 748-2444