Celebrating the life of
Rosalind Frame Haley
July 21, 1910 - April 23, 2008
ROSALIND KRESS FRAME HALEY
Rosalind Frame Haley died on April 23, 2008 under the care of the Hospice Center at Midland Memorial Hospital in Midland, Texas.
Born at home at the Chatsworth Apartments at 72nd Street and Riverside Drive in New York City on July 21, 1910, Rosalind Elaine Kress was the youngest daughter of Claude Washington Kress of Slatington, Lehigh Co., Pennsylvania, and his wife, Francesca Agatha Sheehan of Atlanta, Georgia. Ros, as she was known to her many friends, was raised in New York City and on Buckfield Plantation at Yemassee, S.C.. She attended Sacred Heart Convent in Canada, Miss Spence's School in New York, New York University and the Art Students' League.
Ros was married in 1935 to Charles Wesley Frame of Philadelphia, Pa., and they resided in Utica, N.Y., prior to purchasing and returning to Buckfield Plantation in 1942 where they worked and raised their three sons.
Subsequently, Ros lived in downtown Savannah first on East Harris Street and then on East Congress Street where she was active in the early historic preservation movement . For sixteen years she owned and operated Hitching Post Fine Foods, a manufacturing and gift business with gift shops in The Pirate's House and the old Desoto Hotel.
In 1959 Ros became increasingly concerned about the growth of centralized government and the threat of Communism and she began to devote her time to defeating socialism in America, using the credo her father had taught her: "Seek the truth and make it known." In 1961 she was one of nine women to organize the Savannah Area Republican Women at its first meeting.
Together with two Savannah businessmen, Kenneth Roberts and Carl Wheeler, she started Doorstep Savannah, an organization the purpose of which was public education through Americanism programs. Doorstep Savannah offered a library of books, government pamphlets, movie films and tape recordings along with a speakers' bureau.
Ros had her own radio program for several years and spoke on topics of public interest. She testified before committees of both Houses of Congress and addressed the Platform Committee of the 1964 Republican National Convention in an effort to preserve the McCarran-Walter Immigration Law. In 1965, she received the Freedom Award of the Order of Lafayette for distinguished service in combating communism. Savannah residents gave a dinner in her honor with testimonials from both Republicans and Democrats.
Ros was an alternate delegate from Georgia to the Republican National Convention in Miami Beach in 1968. She was appointed to the Chatham County Board of Education by Mayor J. Curtis Lewis. She served on the advisory board of the Georgia chapter of Young Americans for Freedom and founded and served as chairman of the East Coast Youth Freedom speakers, an organization of high school and college men and women who gave speeches voicing pride in America.
In 1970, Ros was married to author and cattleman J. Evetts Haley, of Midland, Texas, who was known as the "Historian of the Southwest" and whom she met at the Miami Convention. Ros moved to Texas and together with her husband remained politically active, serving as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in Detroit in 1980. In 1975 she established the conservative Rosalind Kress Haley Research Library, Inc. which is now located in the Eagle Forum Building in St. Louis, Mo. It is open to researchers upon request. She was an appointee by President Reagan to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO. During that period, Ros authored a Minority Report which was adopted and influenced the United States to withdraw from membership in UNESCO.
Ros was a member of the Lt. William Brewer Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution DAR, the Midland Republican Women, and the John Birch Society.
Ros is pre-deceased by her parents, husbands, sisters Elizabeth Betty Margaret Kress Huger Jack and Beatrice Agatha Kress, and her infant daughter, Noel Collette Frame. She is survived by her three sons, Alexander "Sandy" M. Frame of New York City, N.Y., Peter C. Frame of Tazewell, Va. and Christopher K. Frame of Savannah, Ga., and their wives as well as six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, two nephews and numerous cousins.
A requiem mass is scheduled at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Midland, Texas.
A graveside service will be held in the Kress Family Plot at Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, Ga. on Wednesday, April 30, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.. In lieu of flowers the family requests that remembrances be made to Hospice Savannah, P. O. Box 13190, Savannah, Ga. 31416-0190.
Dear Chris, Wow, your mother was quite an accomplished woman. Today at the Savannah Area Republican Woman's luncheon/meeting Ruth spoke of her being one of the founding memebers. I wish when I had met your mother many years ago, I would have known that one day I would be chairing this year's action to raise money for the Republican Party. What a help she would have been to me and to all of the other memebrs working for the Party. You will miss her terribly I am sure. It is hard when you realize that you are no longer someone's child. I hope that this immediate period of sadness will pass very quickly for you and your dear family and that soon you will be able to enjoy your many happy memories. With love and prayers to all of you, Mary and Jim Davis
- mary saunders, savannah, GA
We are sorry to learn of your loss. Chris, your mother seems to have lived a very full and active life. With best regards, Bryan and Neil
- Bryan & Neil Creasy, Savannah, GA
Dear Chris and Rosemary, My heart was saddened when I read of your sorrow. I know the heartache of giving up a precious Mama. Be comforted by knowing that others care and that you are in their prayers. With deepest sympathy, Lois Wooten
- Lois Wooten, Savannah, GA
Dear Chris and Family We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Ros. She and J. Walter and I were great friends and spent many wonderful times together. J. Walter passed in 2001 and I know he was at the gate to welcome Ros home. Again deepest sympathy from myself, son Tommy and his wife Anna.
- Angeline Cowart, Savannah, GA
Dear Chris and Rosemary, Bill and I have our thoughts and prayers with you at this time. Losing a parent is a difficult time for us all even when it is expected. Please know that we are available to help in any way that you would like for us to. Much love, Lucy and Bill
- Lucy M. Hitch, Savannah, GA
Oh Chris, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your Mother. My sister e-mailed me about it this morning. You may not remember me from back in the 60's, but that is when I met your Mother. That was after our group trip to Hilton Head resulted in keys being locked in the trunk of the car. She was such a Southern Lady to each of us. I lost my Mother 2 years ago. I know you will miss yours as much as I miss mine. Remember the fun times and laugh. Laugh a lot, she would want that. Friends may be absent for many years, but we will always be there in times of need. Camille Puckett Atlanta, GA
- Camille Puckett, Atlanta, GA
Dear Chris, Wow, your mother was quite an accomplished woman. Today at the Savannah Area Republican Woman's luncheon/meeting Ruth spoke of her being one of the founding memebers. I wish when I had met your mother many years ago, I would have known that one day I would be chairing this year's action to raise money for the Republican Party. What a help she would have been to me and to all of the other memebrs working for the Party. You will miss her terribly I am sure. It is hard when you realize that you are no longer someone's child. I hope that this immediate period of sadness will pass very quickly for you and your dear family and that soon you will be able to enjoy your many happy memories. With love and prayers to all of you, Mary and Jim Davis
- mary saunders, savannah, GA
We are sorry to learn of your loss. Chris, your mother seems to have lived a very full and active life. With best regards, Bryan and Neil
- Bryan & Neil Creasy, Savannah, GA
Dear Chris and Rosemary, My heart was saddened when I read of your sorrow. I know the heartache of giving up a precious Mama. Be comforted by knowing that others care and that you are in their prayers. With deepest sympathy, Lois Wooten
- Lois Wooten, Savannah, GA
Dear Chris and Family We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Ros. She and J. Walter and I were great friends and spent many wonderful times together. J. Walter passed in 2001 and I know he was at the gate to welcome Ros home. Again deepest sympathy from myself, son Tommy and his wife Anna.
- Angeline Cowart, Savannah, GA
Dear Chris and Rosemary, Bill and I have our thoughts and prayers with you at this time. Losing a parent is a difficult time for us all even when it is expected. Please know that we are available to help in any way that you would like for us to. Much love, Lucy and Bill
- Lucy M. Hitch, Savannah, GA
Oh Chris, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your Mother. My sister e-mailed me about it this morning. You may not remember me from back in the 60's, but that is when I met your Mother. That was after our group trip to Hilton Head resulted in keys being locked in the trunk of the car. She was such a Southern Lady to each of us. I lost my Mother 2 years ago. I know you will miss yours as much as I miss mine. Remember the fun times and laugh. Laugh a lot, she would want that. Friends may be absent for many years, but we will always be there in times of need. Camille Puckett Atlanta, GA
- Camille Puckett, Atlanta, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
