Judy Frye

(From Ozark Funeral Home)

Judy Jeanett Frye, 79, of Jay, Oklahoma, passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at Saint Francis Hospital in Vinita, Oklahoma after months of failing health. 

Judy was born on July 29, 1944, in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, to the union of the late Watson and Kathleen (Walker) Vaughn. She was raised and attended schools in Siloam Springs.

Judy's life was a testament to the power of love and family. She was a cherished wife to her husband, Billy Frye, with whom she married on August 25, 1959, in Pineville, Missouri. Besides being a devoted homemaker, Judy also worked for several years at Hudson Foods in Noel, Missouri.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her children Robin, Andy, and Dena, and her brother Jim Vaughn. Judy's memory will live on through her surviving family. Her husband, Billy, her children Debbie Thomas and Dedra Morgan, her four grandchildren, and one great-grandson will forever cherish the love and lessons she imparted. Judy's brothers, David, Cecil, and Sam Vaughan, and her sisters, Carolyn Gibbens, Ruthie Farrister, and Shirley Watson, along with a host of other family and friends, will miss her friendly presence and loving embrace.

Judy's interests and talents were as varied as they were impressive. An avid collector, she found joy in the pursuit of dolls and Victorian antiques, each piece a story and a memory. Her hands were rarely still, as she expressed her creativity through quilting and sewing, crafting beautiful works that served as expressions of her love. Flea markets were a favorite pastime, where she would search for hidden treasures with an expert eye.

 

Music was a vital part of Judy's life. She played numerous instruments; each note a reflection of her soulful and artistic nature. Her love for music was matched only by her devotion to her faith. As an ordained minister, Judy shared her spiritual guidance and comfort with those around her, embodying the virtues of compassion and empathy.

Graveside services are 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 29, 2023, at Southwest City Cemetery with Pastor George Frye officiating. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the Anderson Chapel of the Ozark Funeral Homes. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Missouri.