Obituary of Frances Louise McClenny

Frances Louise McClenny was born to Leon Crews and Louise Crews on June 24,1937 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and departed this earthly life on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.

Frances moved to Charleston with her mother and dear sister Betty and spent her childhood primarily creating mischief such as skipping school to fish in Colonial Lake or hitching rides to Folly Beach. From an early age, it was obvious that Frannie danced to her own beat and loved to have fun.

Frances was also a hard worker. Her first job as a teenager was at the Riviera Theater on King Street. She tried her hand at waiting tables but “I got fired the first day for spilling spaghetti all over a table of Navy officers. I knew that wasn’t for me”. She found her calling in retail. For many years, she worked at Seigel’s Hardware. “I sold screws for Mr. Seigel”, as Frannie would tell it. She managed a movie theater in Summerville in the 80’s and then The Trident Hospital gift shop for 15 years where she was Russell Stover’s best customer. “I had them put the candy display next to the register, so I didn’t have to walk as far”. She then purchased and owned Cameo Florist and Gifts for many years before retiring.

She was an active member of the First Southern Methodist Church of Summerville, Women’s Missionary Society with a lifetime membership pin, Briarwood Civic Association, and the Sassy Ladies (after succession from the Red Hat Ladies). She also enjoyed working in her yard, spending time with her family and friends, expressing her unfiltered thoughts and opinions, and religiously watching her TV mystery shows.

It can truly be said that Flo lived, laughed, and loved but it is also equally true that she did it in such a way that only she could. Whatever came out of her mouth was like the proverbial box of chocolates: you never knew what you were going to get but you knew it was going to be entertaining and there was nothing better than Frannie in a full-on belly laugh. That’s what we will all remember. The love, the brutal honesty, and the humor.

Frannie is preceded in death by her husband Lee “Mac” McClenny and her eldest son Robbie Bonifay. She is survived by her sister Betty Teems of Canton, GA, children Stephen “Buddha” Bonifay (Rosalyn), Cheryl Bonifay, Michael Driggers, Wendi Dion (Troy), grandchildren Brian Kirkman, Alex Bonifay, Christina Bonifay, Cody Harmon, Kira Bonifay, Maiya Setzler, Ocean Bonifay and great grandson Cooper Kirkman & Summit Setzler, great granddaughter Isla Setzler, beloved nieces Susan Norcom (Brad), Paula Teems, their children & families and many, many friends…..and her dog BOBO.

The family is eternally grateful for all the love and support of Frances especially during her last homebound years. She will truly be missed by many. Jimmy Buffet could have been writing about Frannie in the song “He Went to Paris” when he sang “Through 85 years of perpetual motion, if she likes you she’ll smile and say: some of its magic and some of its tragic, but I’ve had a good life all the way”.

The family invites you to her Celebration of Life service on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 11:00am at The First Southern Methodist Church of Summerville located at 9715 Miles Jamison Road, Summerville, SC 29485.

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