79-year-old Shirley Irene (Duke) Fry of Flora, lost her long battle to cancer and went home to be with the Lord on March 20 at her home surrounded by her loved ones. Hospice did a wonderful job with all her care.
She was born on December 10, 1941, in Flora, the daughter of Robert Duke and Nellie (Nash) Duke Farris. Shirley went to school in Flora and throughout her life she had worked at a Nursing Center, Beltronics, owned and operated the Rinard Crossroads Restaurant, managed Hucks, and later retired from Airtex.
Shirley enjoyed being a mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother, and cherished time spent with her family. She especially loved her grandkids and great grandkids. She also enjoyed motorcycles, bowling, rummage sales, people watching, and the weather. Her favorite thing was to eat and get food from the drive thru and go to Flora Dairy Queen for her Large Coke. She was a member of Christs Church in Effingham.
She is survived by 2 sons: Jim Fry (fiancé Sherry York) of Hatfield, AR, and Don Fry (significant other Sheery Evilsizer) of Flora; 2 daughters: Caralyn (John) Riley of Clay City, and Sandy (Carrol) Rodgers of Cisne; 2 sisters: Ellen Allbee of Bodfish, CA, and Linda Anderson of Feasterville, PA; a half-brother Billy (Annett) Farris of Geff; grandchildren: Jamie (Marc) Hultgren, Christy (Travis) Simmons, Michael Riley (fiancé Shelly Bailey), Katie (John) Cooper, Curtis (Kelley) Fry, Misty (Chris) Gosda, Melissa (Matthew) Rankin, Amanda Higgs, and Scott (Elizabeth) Fry; step grandchildren: Tina (Terry) Biggs, Eric York, and Kirsten Rodgers; great-grandchildren: Alex Clements, Leona Fry, Kirsten Simmons, Kaylee Simmons, Corrine Fry, Ayzik Riley, Elizabeth Rankin, Kylee Holt, Kamryn Holt, Marc Jr Hultgren, and Jaxon Higgs; and step great grandchildren: Blakely Parker, Jordan Brown, Dillin Bowman, Devyn Bowman, and Payton York.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother: Robert Eugene Duke; sister-in-law: Karen Duke; a brother-in-law: Mike Anderson; a nephew; and several aunts and uncles.
A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 27 at Christ Church in Flora. Visitation will be 2 p.m. until time of service on Saturday at the church. Arrangements are in the care of Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Memorial donations are suggested to Shriners Hospital for Children, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or to the family to help assist with final expenses and will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a memory or condolence visit: www.frankandbright.com