Obituary of Frances Blanche Binford Lake

Frances Blanche Binford Lake died August 29, 2013. She and her twin brother, Frank, were born July 23, 1915, the youngest of five children of Rev. Joseph Newbill Binford and Lilly Bragg Binford. Frances was predeceased by her parents and siblings as well as her husband, Dr. Ralph Callihan Lake, for many years a surgeon in Greensboro. She is survived by her children--Ralph Binford Lake and his wife, Anne, and Laurie "Lollie" White and her husband, Walter Beale,--all of Greensboro. She is also survived by: her adored four grandchildren Kathryn White (Adam Chase), Elizabeth Lovett (John), Benjamin White (Tiffany), and Anna Blitch (Bird); four great-grandchildren; ten nieces and nephews. Frances early displayed a remarkable talent for and love of music. As a little girl, she taught herself to play the organ of her father's church, having her first formal piano lesson at age fifteen. She majored in music at both Bethel Baptist College for Women and Georgetown College in Kentucky. Throughout her life, she took immense pleasure in sharing her musical gifts in a variety of ways: from public school music teacher to organist and children's choir director in churches in Kentucky and North Carolina. She taught private piano lessons to a number of Greensboro children and was one of the originators of the Greensboro Symphony Guild as well as the Greensboro Piano Quartet. She and her husband retired to Washington, NC where she and Lilly King founded and conducted the bell choir at First Presbyterian Church. After her husband's death, she moved back to Greensboro where she was one of Wellspring Retirement Community's first residents. She and Lilly King, her friend of fifty years who also moved to Wellspring, began the music program there—both the choir and the bell choir. At Wellspring, Frances for many years took great delight in playing the piano and organ for the Reverend John Akers' services. Frances was never afraid of change, not only accepting the mutations of life but also reveling in its adventures. We will miss her bright, generous spirit. She credited her happy disposition to "the Binford luck," faith, and music. Her father began each day by saying this verse: "This is the day the Lord hath made; let us be glad and rejoice in it." Her family wishes to sincerely thank the loving, respectful attention given to Frances by the Wellspring staff during her many years of residence. A service in her memory will be held in the auditorium of Wellspring Retirement Community on Saturday, August 31 at 4:00 pm with a reception following. Those who wish to memorialize her are encouraged to contribute to a charity of their choice.