Frances Torbett Obituary

Frances Jones Torbett

December 4, 2025

PINEY FLATS - Frances Jones Torbett, age 87, of Piney Flats, TN went to be in the presence of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, December 4, 2025 in her home surrounded by her loving family.

Frances was the daughter of Ralph and Oma Massengill Jones and made her home in Piney Flats. She attended Mary Hughes High School, which is where she met her lifelong sweetheart, Wayne Torbett. They married in 1957 and celebrated 67 years together on July 6, 2024.

Frances worked in the dental industry during the first part of her career, then joined her husband, Wayne, in 1976 as the co-owner and operator of the family business, Wayne Torbett Greenhouses in Piney Flats. If you ever had the pleasure to visit their greenhouses, or bought any of their products, you know they both had a God-given gift for growing beautiful plants and flowers of the finest quality.

A devoted Christian, Frances was a member of Poplar Ridge Christian Church in Piney Flats. She especially enjoyed being a member of the Willing Workers Sunday school class.

Frances loved everything about growing flowers and plants for other people to enjoy, her many customers at the greenhouse, watching Atlanta Braves baseball and Lady Vols basketball, and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne, and sister, Maxie Jones Guthrie (Fred) of Bristol. She is survived by her two loving daughters, Kim Dishner (Joe), and Keyla King (John), both of Piney Flats; six grandchildren, Kimberlyn King Schmidt (Ryan) of Johnson City, Elizabeth Dishner Spain (Jarrod) of Jonesborough, Preston Dishner with Lia Winter of Piney Flats, Emilee Dishner Boone (Dallas) of Bluff City, Jonathan King of Piney Flats, and J. Patrick Dishner (Mariah) of Johnson City; three great-grandchildren, Sadler Spain and Shaw Spain of Jonesborough, and Bennett Schmidt of Johnson City; one brother, Terry Jones with Debbie Fedor of Piney Flats; one brother-in-law, Dean Torbett (Janie) of Piney Flats; and several nieces and nephews, as well as special family friend, Ryana DeArmond.

The family would like to extend a special note of gratitude to her caregivers over the past several months, especially Vickie Musick, Peggy Barker, Tonya Reynolds, and Amanda Mora.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 7 at Poplar Ridge Christian Church in Piney Flats. A service to celebrate Frances' life will follow with Brad Perry and Evan Wolfe officiating. Music will be presented by special friends of the family. A graveside service will be held Monday, December 8, at 11:00 a.m. in the Poplar Ridge Christian Church cemetery. Serving as pall bearers will be Preston Dishner, Jonathan King, J. Patrick Dishner, Jarrod Spain, Ryan Schmidt, and Dallas Boone.

Donations may be made in Frances' honor to Speedway Children's Charities at Bristol Motor Speedway by visiting www.speedwaycharities.org.

Condolences and prayers may be shared with the Torbett family by visiting www.morrisbaker.com.

Arrangements especially for Frances and her family have been made through Morris Baker Funeral Home, 2001 E. Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, TN 37601; 423-282-1521