LIVELY—Frances Crouch Van Dornes was known as Siddie to family and friends.
Born in 1919 in a log cabin near Manassas, Siddie is the last of her immediate family. She is preceded in death by her parents, Franklin Crouch and Rebecca R. Sayers Crouch; her brothers, Edward, Franklin and Carter; her sisters, Addis, Tippis, Mabel and Edith; and her husband, William “Bill” Johnson Van Dornes.
Siddie and Bill lived in Alexandria for most of their married life. Siddie worked as one of the early computer operators for the Association of the Army Reserve and Bill drove a bus for ABW. After Bill retired, they moved to a small community in Lively. They enjoyed the quieter, country life, fishing in the Rappahannock River and attending the local church on Sundays. They never had any children but enjoyed visits of nieces and nephews.
After Bill passed away in 1996, Siddie stayed on in their home living alone. She had several medical situations such as breast cancer, a heart problem, a broken shoulder; all of these could have been life-threatening but she survived each. As she aged, living alone became a challenge, even with the help of some caring people, who came regularly to do chores, shop for groceries and take her to appointments.
In 2019, she moved to the Walter Reed Rehabilitation Facility in Gloucester.
On February 23, 2021, she passed away at the age of 101. She will be buried beside her husband at National Memorial Park Cemetery in Falls Church.
Currie Funeral Home LLC of Kilmarnock handled the arrangements.
