When Mary Frances McCall’s grandfather, Alexander McCall, died in 1918 it was said of him at his funeral that he “always looked at the bright side of life and lived above approach.” The same thing is said of his granddaughter who was born five years later.

May 24, 1923 – Mary Frances is born to Yateman Alexander McCall and Nora Vest McCall.

April 15, 1935 – Although not yet 12, Mary Frances McCall is serving as a Girl Scout Bee Patrol leader.

Jan. 10, 1938 – Nora Aileen McCall, 13, died. She was the daughter of Mrs. Nora McCall. She is also survived by a brother, George Duncan, and sisters, Mary Frances and Mrs. Pat Roberts.

Feb. 16, 1938 – Mary Frances is very proud of her brother Duncan for being elected president of the student body at MCHS. It was universally agreed that he had a brilliant future ahead of him.

Aug. 29, 1940 – The young peoples’ department of the First Methodist church enjoyed a lawn party at the home of Duncan and Mary Frances McCall. (Mary Frances taught Sunday school for 46 years, especially excelling in teaching sixth-graders.)

Feb. 27, 1941 – Mary Frances McCall has been recognized as the most outstanding commercial student at MCHS.

June 15, 1941 – Mary Frances McCall says she is enjoying the new job with Mutual Savings that she secured following her recent graduation from MCHS.

December 23, 1942 – George Duncan McCall, 21, well known Hartselle youth, is now a midshipman in the U.S. Merchant Marines.

Aug. 19, 1943 – According to a tragic telegram just received, Midshipman Duncan McCall is missing in action. His mother, Mrs. Nora McCall, had not heard from her son since last June and was expecting him soon for a visit back at home while on leave. An outstanding graduate of MCHS, he was an employee of the Citizens Bank of Hartselle prior to his entry into the Merchant Marines.

May 13, 1945 – An unusual service, dedicated to the memory of its men lost in service, and honoring also the mothers, wives, and sisters of these men, was held this morning at First Methodist Church. One of the men, Duncan McCall, has been missing for twenty-two months.

Dec. 22, 1946 – The choir of the Methodist church of Hartselle presented a special Christmas program this afternoon in the form of a cantata entitled, “The Infant King.” (Mary Frances was a member of the chancel choir for over half a century, then the bell and heritage ensembles. In the heritage choir she sang along with other seniors and enjoyed going with them to nursing homes.)

July 26, 1951 – L. W. Griffith, contractor, has begun construction of a new ranch-style home on Hickory Street for Nora and Mary Frances McCall.

Aug. 20, 1953 – Mary Frances McCall took her mother on a Florida vacation this week.

Aug. 19, 1965 – Mrs. Y. A. McCall and Mary Frances McCall have moved from their former home on Hickory Street to a new home on Holloway Street in Oakwood Park. Mary Frances commutes daily to her job at Wolverine Tube where she is a computer expert. (She served Wolverine for 32 years.)

Sept. 2, 1976 – Funeral services for Mrs. Y. A. (Nora Vest) McCall, age 88, were held today at Hartselle First United Methodist Church. Survivors include one daughter, Mary Frances, and one stepdaughter, Mrs. W. P. Roberts She was a Gold Star Mother. Mary Frances is an active member of the American Legion auxiliary.

Jan, 28, 2013 – Mary Frances McCall died at Cullman Regional Medical Center at age 89.

Jan. 30, 2013 – Funeral services for Mary Frances McCall were held at the Hartselle First United Methodist Church.