Mary Frances Adams Gullion Atwood met her Heavenly Savior Thursday, March 9, 2023, in her home in Wytheville, Virginia. She was born in Scarboro, Harford County, Maryland on September 19, 1933, to the late Jesse Price Adams and Lily Elizabeth White.  She was a graduate of the first graduating class from North Harford High School in Pylesville, Maryland. She was also on the Homecoming Court and the basketball team.  Frances worked in the Beta Shoe Factory and Aberdeen Proving Ground in Harford County, Maryland.  She with her family moved to Sparta, North Carolina in 1969, Frances worked at the Hanes Knitwear factory. She along with her late husband, Rev. Paul Atwood, operated the local skating rink in the late 1970s.  After she retired from Hanes, she worked as a receptionist at her son's insurance office, Blue Ridge Insurance.  In addition, Frances was a minister's wife for 40+ years.

Frances is survived by her children: Gary Gullion Darlington, Maryland, Donna Hunt (Phil) Sanford, North Carolina and Mike Atwood (Jennifer) Wytheville, Virginia; 8 grandchildren:  Jason Gullion (Angie) Forest Hill, Maryland, Matthew Gullion (Tami) Bel Air, Maryland, Autumn Hunt Sanford, North Carolina, Tristan Boysaw Charlotte, North Carolina, Tyler Atwood (Kristen) New Bern, North Carolina, Jordan Atwood (Tameka) Wytheville, Virginia, Alexis Hunt Sanford, North Carolina and Noah Atwood (fiancé, Kathryn Perdue) Johnson City, Tennessee: 5 great-grandchildren:  Jayda Gullion, Maris Gullion and Graylyn Gullion, Bel Air, Maryland; Caden Atwood and Riley Atwood Wytheville, Virginia and 2 step great-grandchildren, Kim Doran and Zach Doran Forest Hill, Maryland; brother-in-law, Donald York Bel Air, Maryland and sister-in-law, Beverly Adams Wilkenson Delta, Pennsylvania and special family friend Richard Mooneyhan (Susan) Sparta, North Carolina.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Paul L. Atwood; brother, David Adams, Whiteford, Maryland; sister, Betty Adams York, Bel Air, Maryland; special aunt, Frances White, Aberdeen, Maryland and special cousins, Nancy Tayson and Sam White Darlington, Maryland.

The funeral service will be conducted at noon on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Fellowship Baptist Church in Elk Creek, Virginia. Interment will be at Comers Rock Cemetery. Rev. Matthew Gullion and Pastor Jeremy Farley will officiate the funeral. The family will receive friends 11 am-12 pm prior to the service.  Flowers appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to the Lance Testerman Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Freddie Sutherland, 1095 Powder Mill Road, Elk Creek, Virginia 24326.  Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Independence, Virginia is serving the Atwood family.