Mary Frances Hemric

Mary Frances Hemric, 89, formerly of Gap, Pa., passed away peacefully on Dec. 31, 2025.

Born on June 12, 1936, in Boonville, North Carolina, Frances was the daughter of the late John Frank Trivette and Mamie Jane (Thomas) Trivette. 

She graduated from Boonville High School in 1955 and, later that year, relocated to Nottingham, where she started her family.

In the spring of 1982, Frances began working at Action Manufacturing Company in Atglen. A dedicated and loyal employee, she worked there for 36 years until health issues forced her retirement.

Frances was preceded in death by her sons, Ronald J. Hemric, Johnny W. Hemric, Donald R. Hemric, and Ernest P. Hemric. She was also preceded in death by her siblings, Margaret Stokes, Helen Phillips, Allen Trivette, John Gray Trivette, and Donald W. Trivette.

She is survived by her son, David E. Hemric of Rockvale, Tenn., her daughter, Susan D. (Church) Ondeck and her husband John, of Downingtown, eight grandchildren, Terri Johnson (Mike), Jennifer Hemric, Donald R. Hemric, Jr., Cindy Hemric, Sherry Hemric, Heather Hemric, Natasha Russell, and John W. Ondeck, as well as her brother, James C. Trivette (Charlene) of Dobson, North Carolina.

Frances enjoyed gardening, canning, and cooking, and she valued the simple joys of everyday life. She was strong-willed, resilient, and faced life with determination.

Family and friends may visit on Thursday, Jan. 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Friday, Jan. 9 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. at 86 Pine St. in Oxford.  Funeral services will then be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 9.

Interment will follow at Little Britain Church Cemetery in Peach Bottom, Pa.

Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford. Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.   

Theodore Christie, Jr.

Theodore (Ted) Christie, Jr., of Landenberg, died on Dec. 25, 2025 from natural causes after a brief illness. He was 91 years old. He is survived by Marjorie Christie, his wife of 56 years.

Ted was born in Bridgeport, Conn., where his father was a florist and his mother was a bookkeeper. As a teenager, he moved with his family to Cresskill, NJ.  He received his bachelor of science degree from Rutgers University School of Engineering in 1958. He went on to earn a Ph.D. through graduate work at Cornell and Temple.

For many years Ted taught mathematics and statistics at Delaware Valley University.

After retiring from teaching, Ted moved with his wife Marjorie to Landenberg, where they bought a historic house and kept beloved horses and cats. Their shared appreciation for Baroque music led them to become regulars at Brandywine Baroque concerts. The gourmet cooking skills they developed together made invitations to dinner at their home highly coveted.

Ted served for over 20 years as a member of the New Garden Township Historical Commission and, for a term, as its chairman. He was master of ceremonies for the 2010 reopening of the Landenberg Bridge as well as memorable township “history nights,” and his careful monitoring of the internet marketplace for historic artifacts related to southeastern Chester County brought marvelous items to the Commission’s attention.

No services or interment are planned at this time. 

Arrangements are being handled by Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory of Kennett Square.

Linda Kay Beck

Linda Kay Beck, age 76, of Kennett Square, passed away peacefully on Dec. 23, 2025. Born in Knoxville, Tenn., she was the beloved daughter of the late Mildred (Parrott) Brown.

Kay’s love language was food. Cooking for her family and friends brought her great joy, and no one ever left her home hungry. She was especially famous for her chicken and dumplings and her Southern cooking, which became a cherished comfort to all who tasted it. A cup of coffee was rarely far from her hand, and many conversations, stories, and moments of laughter were shared across her kitchen table with coffee always brewing.

She was an avid crafter with a strong creative spirit. Whether making wreaths and bows, working with flowers, or sewing, Kay constantly found ways to express her creativity. She was also a poet and leaves behind a collection of her written words that reflect her thoughtfulness and heart.

Kay had a natural way with children, who were drawn to her warmth and humor. When her daughters, Yolanda and Holly, were growing up, their home was the gathering place for neighborhood kids. Kay always made sure to create a space where everyone felt welcome.

She had a special talent for turning family experiences into laughter and wisdom, always leaving listeners smiling, a little wiser, and usually asking for just one more story.

She is survived by her daughter, Holly Baron and her son, Sebastian Baron, her daughter, Yolanda Beck and her children, Jordan (Brianna) Beck, Shanice Beck, Shania Beck, Joseph Beck, and Quincy Holman, her great-grandsons, Pierce and Reese Beck, and her sister, Nancy (Richard) Sakiewicz.

Services and interment will be private.

Arrangements are being handled by Matthew Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory of Kennett Square. 

Barbara Ellen Edwards Adams

Barbara Ellen Edwards Adams, of Oxford, passed away peacefully at her home on Jan. 5, 2026. She was 82.

Born in Lincoln University, she was the daughter of the late Dora Dixon Edwards and Everett Edwards. Barbara devoted her early years to raising her family, serving as a loving and dedicated homemaker. Once her children were grown, she began a long and fulfilling career as a school bus driver for the Oxford Area School District. After many years of service, she continued her work with Kraft School Bus Company, where she later retired after 15 years of loyal dedication.

Barbara was the beloved wife of Joseph Charles Adams, Sr., with whom she shared 54 years of marriage. Together they built a life rooted in love, family, and community.

She is survived by their children, Joseph, Tracy, and Michael, as well as her many cherished grandchildren, all of Oxford.

Barbara will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her unwavering devotion to her family, and the kindness she extended to everyone she met.

Services will be private.
Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc. in Oxford.

Online condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.