Frances Lu (Kelley) Ping (90) passed to her heavenly home on Sunday, March 13, 2022. As she had wanted, she was surrounded by family at her Mechanicsburg home. Frances is a life-long resident of Boone County, the daughter of the late Guy C and Leona Kelley.
She was married to Hubert C. Ping for 54 years and they raised 2 children before he passed away in 2001. Frances was an active member of First Community Church for many years, where she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, and led ladies’ and children’s ministries. In later years she attended Antioch Church near her home.
A constant volunteer for her church and community, she was a founder of the Boone County Ladies Retreat and hosted this event at her farm on several occasions. She was also active in Scouting as a “den mother” for the boys, and a troop leader for the Brownies and Girl Scouts in the 1950s and 60s. She served with many local charities and one year was chosen, with her husband, as volunteers of the year. Frances and her family built the Crown of Thorns Christian Camp on their farm near Mechanicsburg in the 1970s. The camp hosted many Christian groups, Bible schools and youth camps, and wonderful Gospel concerts over its 20+ years of operation. The camp never charged a fee for groups but ran on donations only. Many local people will remember special times at the camp which included engagements and even a wedding.
She also worked in the eyecare industry in offices in Lebanon and Indianapolis for many years. After retiring from full-time employment, she accepted a position as Co-Regional Director for Habitat for Humanity International with her husband. They worked with communities in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio to start new local HFH affiliate groups, train volunteers, and build homes with chosen families.
Even when vacationing they would frequently include HFH work trips. They were part of, or led teams to, Haiti, Nicaragua, Florida, Mississippi, and Kentucky. While vacationing in Hawaii they looked up the local affiliate and volunteered for a day on its job site and enjoyed a real Hawaiian luau with that group. They acquired many new friends in all of their travels.
In 2002, Frances completed a life-long dream when she and her niece, Margaret Kelley, traveled to Epinal, France, to visit the grave of her brother, Raymond Kelly, who was killed in World War II. He was buried at the American cemetery there. The trip also included stops in several other European countries.
Frances was “Grammy” to her biological family along with many others she lovingly “adopted” into an extended family of loved ones. Hosting visitors from around the world in her home and through her various travels she had friends everywhere she went. She shared her deep faith in God with all she met. She loved her family and especially enjoyed her great-great grandchildren.
She is survived by her daughter Cindy (Greg) Holmes; daughter-in-law Sandra Ping; grandchildren Mandy & Robin Stillwell, Thorntown; Aaron & Heather Ping, Lebanon; Jason Holmes & fiancé Wendy West of Lebanon; and Eric Ping, Lebanon. Great-grandchildren Tamandra & Justin Rose, Thorntown; Austin Ping, Las Vegas, NV; Elise Holmes, Lebanon; Kallie Leib, Lebanon; Cody Holmes, Lebanon; Katy Stillwell, Thorntown; Erika Ping, Lebanon; and great-great grandchildren Anna and Vincent Rose, Thorntown; one sister, Mary Sedwick, of Westfield and many, many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family all over the U.S.
Preceding her in death, besides her husband Hubert Ping and her parents, were her son, H. Russell (Rusty) Ping, and 3 brothers, Delmar Kelley, Raymond Kelley, Floyd Kelley.
Funeral Services are planned for 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Myers Mortuary, 1502 North Lebanon Street, in Lebanon, Indiana. Visitation will be held from 12:00 noon until the time of services.
Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lebanon.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Globe International/Haneys, P.O. Box 3040, Pensacola, FL 32516; Indiana Dream Team, Inc., P.O. Box 1955, Martinsville, IN 46151; or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
