Frankie Lee Harden Tidwell

Frankie Lee Harden Tidwell, 90, of Valdosta, died on Friday, April 10, 2020 at South Georgia Medical Center. Born in Ocilla, GA to the late William Horace & Zelma Oneta Lee Harden on October 2, 1929. Mrs. Tidwell graduated from Landon High School in Jacksonville, FL in 1947. Soon after graduation, she met a young Jack Tidwell at First Baptist Church of Jacksonville and they were married on September 16, 1949 in Jacksonville. During the next decade the Tidwell’s grew their family and assisted other family members in starting a Christian radio station in Orange Park, FL- WAYR. In 1971, the Tidwell’s moved to Valdosta to start WAFT radio station and Mrs. Tidwell assisted her husband for many years at the radio station and as bookkeeper there. Throughout her life, Mrs. Tidwell has been a devoted caretaker of others, whether family members or those she ‘picked up’ somewhere. She has also, and increasingly in her older age, been a prayer warrior, praying for family and supporting missionaries all over the world who were serving Jesus and helping build His Kingdom. She was a member of Grace Bible Church.
Survivors include four daughters and sons in law, Shelia & Rick Hofmeister of Valdosta, Jackie & Scott McVey, of Brunswick, Sally & Buddy Harvey of Macclenny, FL, and Carol & Robert Smith of Jacksonville, FL, two sons and daughters in law, Bill & Terry Tidwell of Valdosta and Tom & Lois Tidwell of Denton, TX. Also surviving are seventeen grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild and a sister Ruth Palmer of Bristol, TN. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Tidwell, sisters Doris Tiefenbach, Joyce Richardson, Carolyn Tucker, Elizabeth Staten and brothers, William Horace Jr. and John Harrell, one granddaughter and two great grandchildren.
A private family graveside service will be held on Monday at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens, and a public memorial service will be held once restrictions related to the virus are lifted. Her sons in law, Rev. Rick Hofmeister and Rev. Scott McVey will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to WAFT Radio Station waft.org/donate, 215 Waft Hill Lane, Valdosta, GA 31602. Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home