Some of us were taught growing up not to speak ill of the dead. However, that doesn't stop many from airing grievances after the target is no longer there to defend themselves. Think of how often a magnate passes away, only to have all sorts of hangers-on come out of the woodwork, claiming some misdoing. It's interesting to note, by comparison, how relatively little is said after a poor person passes. Their reputation is rarely dragged through the mud, because there's no financial incentive.

Frances Bavier, famous for playing Aunt Bee on The Andy Griffith Show, left behind millions of fans and an unrivaled television footprint when she died in 1989. To this day, people have fond memories of Bavier, conflating her life with that of her onscreen persona. However, a lawsuit filed after Bavier passed once sought to disrupt those happy reminiscences.

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Aunt Bee was much nicer than the real Frances Bavier, at least according to her

According to a 1990 article in The Chapel Hill Herald, toward the end of her life, Bavier hired a woman to cook and clean for her at her Siler City home after retiring from show business. The woman, Gladys Farmer, knew Bavier for several years and claimed she was owed payment when Bavier passed in '89.

"I'm sorry, I don't have anything to say," Farmer told the Herald.

However, court documents revealed that Farmer claims she was cheated out of money and a car. She alleged that Bavier agreed to leave her $25,000 and an automobile in her will for services rendered. 

A Siler City attorney failed to provide further details to the Herald when interviewed.

"Out of respect for Ms. Bavier and Ms. Farmer, I don't think we have any comment at this time," the attorney stated. "That is a matter between Ms. Farmer and Ms. Bavier's estate."

The lawsuit received very little media attention, and the resolution received none.

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