Viola Helen (Jiles) Fry

For 96 years Viola "Helen" Jiles Fry embraced the joys of living an independent life filled with a love of people and activities. She was born in Hartshorne, Oklahoma on August 26, 1923 to her family having Cherokee lineage and sharing her home with four siblings.

An early joy of her life was meeting and marrying Freddy Alvin Fry of Hartshorne. They were married 37 years before his death on December 8, 1978. They had moved to Arlington in 1954 and built a home on Roosevelt Drive in Dalworthington Gardens as it was country.

They also joined Woods Chapel Baptist Church on October 27, 1955 and raised their family as part of the growing congregation. She was a part of the Lamp Lighters Sunday School Class. She remained a member until her death.

Helen also loved the work she did as both an Arlington Independent Scholl District and subsequently a Mansfield Independent School District cafeteria manager, as well as having a natural talent for cooking and serving the students. She retired in 1988. After retirement, she was a vital part of a Widowed Persons Group, Order of the Eastern Star, and loved her Garden Club.

She delighted in her many friends, their activities, loved playing card games, and her lawn reflected her love of plants and flowers. She knew all her neighbors and formed lasting friendships. She often shared her cooking skills with friends, family, and neighbors. If she knew one was ill, she prepared their favorite noodles, soup, or dish. A gift from her often included your favorite cake.

Helen's family included four children: Fred, Gayle, Debra, and Jim. She has five grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. She loved her special neighbor Claudia and friend Diane that she considered as a daughter. Lastly, her heart was filled with love for her Shih Tzu "Gabe" and he warmed everyone's heart with his zest for life in her care.