Mrs. Mary Frances Wofford, formerly known as Mary Frances Hays, was born and raised in Mansfield, Georgia - a small town in the eastern part of Newton County. As a child, she spent a lot of time with, and was heavily influenced by, her grandfather James Luther - a man she truly loved. Later she attended Mansfield High School, and went on to complete a course at a business school in Atlanta.

   Mrs. Wofford's first job was in her uncle's grocery store on the Covington Square, where she worked from 1928 until 1932. In 1932 Mary Frances was married to the late John Gordon Wofford. She smiles when she mentions her late husband, "I truly loved Johnny. He meant the world to me." The highlight of her wedding day was that her beloved grandfather officiated the wedding ceremony.

   Mr. and Mrs. John Gordon Wofford began their new life together in Social Circle, Georgia, where they opened a small store to try their hand in the grocery business. Later they operated a boarding house together where the meals they served became the focal point of the business, and the dining room became a popular gathering place for many in the community. Mrs. Wofford explains, "The meals we served were good, wholesome meals - the kind that drew customers from miles around." The Woffords soon discovered the joys of parenthood when their daughter Martha was born. The Wofford family's happiness was sadly interrupted when a tragic automobile accident took the life of John in 1940. Mrs. Wofford sadly reflects, " The early years were the hardest. I loved Johnny dearly. I also knew I had to continue on to take care of our daughter Martha."

   Mrs. Wofford continued to operate the boarding house for a short while after John's death, but due to the demands the vocation placed on her personal life, she knew that she would soon have to seek other employment. To prepare herself, she soon enrolled in some business courses. It wasn't long before the president of the business school took interest in Mary Frances and realized her potential. Through his personal recommendation, she landed a temporary assignment at International Harvester Corporation. That was in 1942, during the height of World War II. Mrs. Wofford retired from International Harvester in 1976 - some 33 1/2 years later! After International Harvester's management realized her abilities, her "temporary" job quickly turned into a full-time career. Mrs. Wofford proudly held positions in Product Pricing, Accounting, as a Receptionist, and finally as the Switchboard Operator. Such was the impact that Mrs. Wofford had on International Harvester and it's employees, that when she retired the management also retired the Switchboard! As a parting gift, and in her honor, International Harvester gave her the switchboard as a memorial. It was lovingly transported and set up in her home so that she would not forget those she had worked beside and had grown so close to over the years.

   In the early years of her retirement, Mary Frances traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada. Her travels took her through many cities and states, but it was her trips to the western part of the U. S. that seem to have left the most lasting impression. Partly because of the beauty of the countryside, and mainly because she traveled with friends she had met at International Harvester, she reflects on her travels with nostalgia. "I loved seeing the sites of the great west, but it was my friends who were so good to me that I remember the most," Mary Frances says. She even managed to fit in a Caribbean Cruise during that busy time. Though she thoroughly enjoyed traveling and seeing the countryside, she began to miss her home and her family. She decided to return to Covington and to get back to work. She explains, "I wanted to meet and be around new people and to be a part of the community." Laughingly, she adds, "I also wanted a good excuse to go out and buy a new dress!" As fate would have it, it wasn't long before Sam Cowan of Caldwell and Cowan invited her to work in the funeral home. The year was 1979.

   Mary Frances' relationship with Caldwell and Cowan Funeral Home had actually begun years before. Her grandson had taken piano lessons from Bonnie Caldwell (wife of Lewis Caldwell). In addition, Lewis Caldwell filled in as a substitute Sunday School teacher throughout her tenure as the President of the Friendship Sunday School class at Covington First United Methodist Church - a post she held for over 30 years.

   Reflecting on her years as a staff member at Caldwell and Cowan Funeral Home, a tear slowly comes to Mary Frances' eye. "Besides my time with Johnny and Martha and having a family, these have been some of the happiest years of my life," says Mrs. Wofford. Indeed, the feeling is mutual. Mary Frances Wofford is considered a treasure among the staff at Caldwell and Cowan. To help her celebrate her 90th birthday and her 20th year Anniversary with the funeral home, the staff threw her a party to remember! With over 400 in attendance, Mary Frances vividly remembers the excitement, " There were so many people there that they were lined up out the door. I was so honored by their presence - though I hardly had time to speak to everyone. I hope everyone knows how much I appreciated them being there." The outpouring from the community did not surprise the staff of Caldwell and Cowan. They know intimately just how special this lady really is.

   Though Mary Frances Wofford could rightfully retire for the second time in her long career, she continues to serve on the staff at Caldwell and Cowan. At the age of 93 years young, she explains, "This is my family, and they are so good to me. I want to be here to help support other families." If you visit Caldwell and Cowan Funeral Home, you will likely see Mrs. Wofford faithfully carrying out her duties during visitation. In a chair lovingly marked "Reserved for Mrs. Wofford" perched by the register stand, she is there as a constant source of support for other families during their time of need.