Judy Kendall Frye, 73, of Hermitage, Tennessee, passed away November 6, 2020. She was a very vibrant woman who was born and raised in East Nashville, and was also a first Tennessean. Soon after she graduated from Hume Fogg, she worked as a hairdresser. Before and after that time, she lived a short time in California where her daughter was born.
After moving back to Tennessee, Judy enjoyed raising her daughter while volunteering as a Room Mother and Girl Scout Leader. Later she served for thirty-nine years as a hostess at the Grand Ole Opry. She also worked a Tennessee Performing Arts Center Local Union 915 as a dresser for Broadway shows. Judy was a tour guide for many Nashville Tour companies, and a supervisor at CMA Fest. For Judy there was never a dull moment. She loved people and touched many lives.
Judy is survived by her daughter Kelly (Marty) Thompson, grandchildren Spencer Thompson, Griffin Thompson and Sydney Thompson; Brothers Ronnie (Polly) Kendall, Steve Kendall, nephew Addis (Ann Marie) Kendall; niece Amy (Tim) Pendleton; grandnieces and nephew Adelyn Kendall, Silas Kendall, Gracie Pendleton and Sadie Pendleton, also many cousins and a large extended family. Judy is preceded in death by her loving husband, of 55 years, Phillip Frye and her parents, Addis and Lillie Mai Kendall.
Spencer Thompson, Griffin Thompson, Marty Thompson, Addis Kendall, Silas Kendall, Ronnie Kendall, Steve Kendall, Tim Pendelton and Tommy Huff will service as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include, Billy Sweeney, Chase Lawson, Zach Kissinger, and Josh Weatherford, the Grand Ole Opry Staff, TPAC Local 915, Event Staff of Nashville Tourism, Opry Security Team, MNPD, TWRA and THP.
The family would like to thank the following special people for their friendship and kindness; The Bonna Girls, Angie, Leslie, Donna and Susan. Linda, Kay, Brady, Dean, Kristi, Barbara, Paulette, Aubrey, Julie, Ronnie & family, Ann Marie, Addis, Amy, David B., the Grissoms, and to all whose lives were intertwined with Judy's.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be held on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 from 4:00-8:00pm at Hermitage Funeral Home and on Thursday, November 12, 2020 from 10:00am-11:00am. A Celebration of Life will begin at 11:00am in the Chapel at Hermitage Funeral Home. Russ King will officiate. Interment will follow the Celebration of Life in Hermitage Memorial Gardens.
Flowers are accepted. The Ronald McDonald House and St. Jude Children’s Hospital were near and dear to her heart, so donations are welcome in her name.
