Frances Adell Pettigrew

Frances Adell Neal, lovingly known by all as “Dell,” was born on April 12, 1930 in a colonial wood frame house in Buffalo, Texas on her father’s farm. Dell was the youngest of five children by 15 years and from birth was a princess. One-Quarter Cherokee, 5th generation Texan, granddaughter of a Civil War veteran, Dell was a true Southern Belle. Growing up in Buffalo in a ranching/farming family during the depression, Dell was marked by the era. She was tough but always elegant. She picked cotton with her brothers but loved living the country life with her family. Dell often recounted tales of riding out on horseback with her father to check the cattle at dawn as early as five years old. Later in life, she was amused that her daughter Pamela had horses “for fun.” After graduating from Buffalo High School, Dell married her first husband, Douglas Lynch. The couple moved to Waco where they had three children, Larry, Rodney and Pamela. After divorcing, Dell moved back to Buffalo. Many years later at her high school reunion, Dell reconnected with her childhood friend, JL Pettigrew. JL turned out to be the love of her life. JL told her that he had been in love with her since they were 6 years old and that he had waited his whole life to be with her. They married on August 8, 1988, and spent twelve wonderful years traveling the North American Continent in their RV, meeting people from all over the world. It was such a beautiful period in her life. After JL passed in 2000, Dell moved to Tyler to be near her daughter, Pamela. Dell led a very happy life for the past 20+ years in Tyler. She immersed herself in her family and her many precious friends. Always the social butterfly, Dell thrived in the Hollytree community, playing mahjong and then eventually bridge. She was a daily fixture at the Hollytree bridge game. Dell was the epitome of elegant beauty every day of her life. She presented herself each day impeccably dressed with perfect hair, makeup and nails. She was a member of Colonial Hills Baptist Church and sang in the Silvernotes (the over 60s choir). Dell was beautiful inside and out because she loved life and she loved people. She idolized her grandchildren and did whatever they wanted to do. Everyone adored her because she was loving, caring, giving, and wise. She made the best out of every situation and her joy was infectious. Dell was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was an absolute angel who will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Dell was preceded in death by her parents, her four siblings, her husband (JL Pettigrew), and her son (Rodney Lynch). Dell is survived by her son (Larry Lynch), her daughter (Pamela Walters), her grandchildren (Monica Tennant, Kelsey Poynter, Leo Lynch, Luke Lynch, and David Lynch) and three great-grandchildren (Riley, Cambridge and Jack). Friends and Family are invited to a Celebration of Dell’s Life at Hollytree Country Club, Tuesday, June 16th at 3 pm. You are invited to honor Dell with a donation to her favorite charity Rotary International Foundation-Polio Plus Fund (www.rotary.org/en/donate).

Frances Adell Pettigrew

April 12, 1930 - June 8, 2026