Funeral Mass for Violet Santucci Fratesi, 100, of Leland was at 2:00 p.m., Monday, June 23, 2014 at St. James Catholic Church, Leland. She died Saturday, June 21, 2014 at Wellington Place, Greenville. Burial was in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Leland.
Mrs. Fratesi was born Svalda Violet Santucci on February 14, 1914 in Longswitch, MS. She was the last surviving child of Silvano and Ersilia Santucci, who had eight children, Rollo, Joe, Ricca, Julia, Willie, Jerry, Louis and Violet.
Mrs. Fratesi lived her entire life in Leland until 2013 when she moved to Greenville to be closer to her children. She had just celebrated her 100th birthday in February where she was presented Leland’s Key to the City, her most valuable possession.
She was a communicant of St. James Catholic Church in Leland her entire life. She married Armando “Herman” Fratesi in 1935 and they had three children. Mrs. Fratesi was known for her deep love of her children and family. She was also known for her unbelievable cooking and her self-taught seamstress skills. Many cheerleaders, homecoming queens and brides wore her creations.
Mrs. Fratesi was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Fratesi, her daughter-in-law, Katie Fratesi and her son-in-law, Fletcher Miller. She is survived by 3 children, Robert Fratesi (Anna) of Greenville, Janie Miller of Greenville and Barbara Parkerson (Donnie) of Birmingham, AL; 7 grandchildren, Kathy Anderson (Chris), Debbie Long (Michael), Lesley Downs (Josh), Jennifer Arnold (Brian(, Chris Miller, Steve Parkerson and Claire Chandler (Caleb); and 10 great- grandchildren, Katherine Anderson, Ryan Anderson, Katie Long, William Long, John Braxton Downs, Maddie Downs, Aaron Arnold, Tyler Arnold, Michael Arnold and Finley Chandler.
Special thanks is given to the staff, aid’s and nurses at Wellington Place and especially to Jennifer Arnold, her loving granddaughter and care giver.
The family received friends one hour prior to services at the church. Memorials may be made to St. James Catholic Church, Leland.