Frances Johnson Mairholtz

Nora "Frances" Johnson Mairholtz, 94, of Elder Rd, died Sunday, August 10, 2014 at St. Mary's Hospital. A native of Elberton (Elbert County), she was the oldest of seven children born to John T. Johnson, Jr. and Annie Ruth Warren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 38 years, Webb Mairholtz, their infant daughter, Janet Norine; her brothers, George Clinton, James Wilton, and Parks Warren Johnson. Frances was known far and wide for her sewing ability which began at a pedal sewing machine at the age of 6 years. Her knowledge of design, fabric, pattern creation, construction, and alteration served her well as an employee at Stitchcraft Corporation, Fabric Inc., Belk, and from her home. Following her Belk retirement, she devoted her talents to mainly alteration for hundreds of UGA sorority and fraternity students, friends, and family. She created on-stage/event fashion for her step-granddaughter, Cindy Wilson Bennett of the B 52's. Making and selling doll clothes sent her youngest daughter, Nadine to college. Small, yearly, memory Christmas stocking from birth through college were created for her two granddaughters. Her sewing talents were sought by the wives of Senators and Congressmen, beauty pageant contestants, and many brides. The last two years of her life, she created over 400 hand-hemmed dinner napkins as well as many embroidered and cross-stitched items. Her hands were never idle. In her early retirement years, she enjoyed traveling all over the United States with several senior adult groups. When not sewing, she maintained gardens (vegetable/flower) and landscaping around her home and by design her "green thumb" always had something in bloom every season of the year. Sharing her flowers with friends for luncheons and banquets brought great joy. Mrs. Mairholtz was a long-time member of the Athens First Baptist Church where she was a member of the Dorcas/Snow Sunday School Class. She is survived by three daughters, Marie M. Davis of Savannah, GA, Linda M. Wilson of Danielsville, and Nadine M. Johnston of Athens; brother, Thomas Joe Johnson (Bobbie); sisters, Ina Madden and Hazel Dickerson all of Elberton; two granddaughters, Joy J. House (Chad) of Athens and Frances D. Roen (Erick) of Minneapolis, MN; two great-grandsons, Toby House and Christian Roen; step-granddaughters, Andrea D.K. Deeds (Derrick) of Atlanta and Cindy W. Bennett (Keith) of Atlanta; step-great-grandchildren, Marcus House, India and Nolan Bennett, Warren and Karla Deeds; many nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family would like to thank neighbor and friend, Ora Lee Foster, who showed many acts of love and caring to the family during our mother's declining years. Funeral services will be held 2PM Friday, August 15th in the chapel at Bernstein Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 5-7PM Thursday, August 14th at Bernstein. The family asks those desiring to do so, please make contributions to First Baptist Church Benevolence Fund, 355 Pulaski St, Athens, GA 30601 or Youthlink Minnesota, 41 North 12th St., Minneapolis, MN 55403. Online and audio condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements. Announcement courtesy of Berry Funeral Home.