Frances Wells Boyst, 88, of Raleigh, North Carolina, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 10, 2021. A private burial service will be held in Charlotte with a memorial service in Raleigh to be planned at a later date.

Frances is survived by her children, Beth (Phil Bowden) and Bill (Michelle); her grandchildren, Danielle Henley (Seth), Billy (Julie), and Michaela Lofland (Mike); great-grandchild, Jaydnn; and numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob Julius Wells and Annie Doris Wells; as well as her sisters, Ann (Hawkins) Sowers and Judy Holley.

Frances was a North Carolina girl through and through. She was born in Duplin County, where many of her Wells relatives still reside. She rooted for all of the NC college basketball teams (favoring State) and told stories about the coaches and players like they were her family. She graduated from Presbyterian Hospital Nursing School in 1954. Empathy and compassion were her strengths and she thrived in her work at Dorothea Dix, Wilmoth, and Raleigh Community Hospitals, and in service to her church communities. She was an outstanding bridge player and role model for living life robustly with diabetes.

Frances was married to William (Bill) Boyst in 1956 and they celebrated 59 years of marriage before he passed in 2015. Together, they formed close friendships in all of the places they lived - Charlotte, NC; Anderson, SC; Murrysville, PA; Sulphur Springs, TX and since 1982, Raleigh, NC.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Asbury United Methodist Church, Raleigh NC.

Frances’ family wishes to commend the excellent medical care she has received from Drs. George Gamblin (deceased), William Parsons, and Steven Liebowitz, the Rosewood Health Center staff, as well as decades long spiritual support and friendship from her Asbury United Methodist Church family. Condolences: RFHR.com