Obituary of Frances Romana Morris

On April 18, 2022, Frances Romana Morris affectionately known as “Mama Frances” the second of six sisters born to the late John Baptiste-Cardoza and the late Elizabeth Cardoza Jasper in Springfield, Massachusetts passed away peacefully in her sleep to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whom she loved dearly. She was 96 years old and the mother of two children who preceded her in death, grandmother of four, great-grandmother of seven and great-great grandmother of one. Mama Frances received her early education in the Cambridge Public school system upon relocating from Springfield, Ma. She graduated from Cambridge Rindge and Latin High school later finalizing her formal education by receiving a Cosmetology license from Wilfred Academy in Boston, Massachusetts. Mama Frances was a licensed cosmetologist and worked at Galaxy Beauty Salon in Mattapan until her retirement in 1990. Mama Frances believed in going to church every Sunday. She was a member of two gospel singing groups, The Gospel Chordettes and The Silver Lining Gospel singers for 20 years. She was a mezzo soprano and aspired to be a professional opera singer. She travelled with both groups performing all through New England, North Carolina, and Georgia. Her group had a regular set at Dick’s Last Resort every Sunday for many years and performed for the Honorable Mayor Thomas M. Menino, the Walk for Hunger, Dimock Community Health Center’s annual Stepping Out along with various other community fundraising events. During her retirement and gospel singing events she returned to work for Family Services in Boston serving as a home health aide to the elderly until her final retirement in 1995. During this time, she enjoyed doing her crossword puzzle books-the entire book at one sitting and jigsaw puzzles until they were completely together. She also enjoyed sitting with her friends in the community room watching the comings and goings of both people and animals, tuning into the game-show channel along with watching the Bachelorette and listening to her favorite singer Al Green. Mama Frances leaves to cherish her memory and loving legacy, her beloved sister Elizabeth “Betty” Relerford, grandchildren, Lynnette Cheseborough, Lavette Morgan, Gerald Morgan (Marilyn) and Eugene Anderson Jr., her great-grandchildren Curryl Depina, Delisa Morgan, Dayja Morgan, Davonna Dinkins, Gregory Thomas Jr., Anthony Morgan, Domenic Anderson, and her great-great grandchild Elias Clarke. She also leaves a host of many, many, many nieces, nephews, church family and friends. She had 5 siblings who had children who also had children so there are a lot of us! Mama Frances was predeceased by her husband(s) Walter Cheseborough Sr. and Monecure Morris. She has been united in heaven with her parents (John Baptiste and Elizabeth), her children (Romana Anderson and Walter Cheseborough Jr)., her sisters, (Queenie Jennings, Blanche Northrop, Theresa “Terry” Clark, Dorothy “Dottie” Cardoza) her nephews, (Philip and Darrell Clark) and most recently her nieces Theresa “TeeDee” Clark and Theresa’s daughter Nicola “Cola.” Acknowledgments The family sends out its most sincere and heartfelt thanks to Park Place Rehabilitation Center, Hancock Place Rehabilitation Center, and Kindred Hospice Services for caring for Mama Frances in her final years. We would also like to thank all our family and friends for their love and concern during this painful time and for providing us with continued support and kindness. We cannot thank you enough. We will miss Mama Frances but know she is with the lord and her family in heaven and will continue to rest in peace and sing the Gospel! She will be buried with her comfort “baby” who kept her company in her final days.