Beverly Fay Fralish

Fay was born in Macon Georgia, August 18, 1040. Her family moved to Valdosta Georgia for a short period of time were she went through 2nd grade before returning to Macon. Upon returning to Macon she went to Fort Hawkins elementary. Her dad opened a local neighborhood food market. Her mother left the telephone company where she was a chief operator (yes they had those back then) to help Fay’s dad in the neighborhood store on Jeffersonville Road in Macon. Her dad’s name was Christopher Columbus Fruitticher and her mother’s name was Bertha Bernice Melton Fruitticher. On February 13, 1946 a baby brother joined the Fruitticher household. His name was Christopher Wilks Fruitticher or as Fay called him (after he got up old enough to get into her things) the little brat.

There was lots of family nearby. She had her Uncle Wesley (Bubba) Melton and wife Irene, her Uncle Joe Melton and wife Catherine and Uncle Beverly Fruitticher and wife Maxine. Now we see where Beverly fits with her name.

Her mom and dad were looking for a short middle name because of the long first and last name. A close friend who owned a night club in in Macon had a first name of Fay. Now we are putting things together.

Fay had another uncle by the name of Oliver and his wife Edith who lived in Swainsboro Georgia. They had a daughter named Linda Fruitticher (later to marry Bill Carmichael).

Fay had cousin’s Randy Melton by Joe and first wife Margaret. Cousins Jerry Melton, Ann Melton McCleskey and Jane Melton Burns Wesley and Irene’s children. Cousins Linda Melton Fuller and her sister Cathy Melton, Joe and Catherine Melton’s children.

Fay went to junior and senior high school at A.L. Miler where she graduated in 1958. Some of her friends in high school were Linda McBride and Jackie Keys. Soon after graduation she married James Saxon. She went to work for the Bacon Bibb County Health Department but soon learned she was supporting the family because James couldn’t keep a job. She soon found herself pregnant. Jay her son arrived December 12th, 1959 after which she divorced James and moved back home.

I met Fay on April 29, 1966 at the Varsity Drive in Restaurant in Macon (different varsity than Atlanta Varsity). I was in the Air Force at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia.

We dated and on August 18, her birthday I asked her to be my wife.

On January 29, 1967 we were married at the Mulberry Methodist Church in downtown Macon Georgia. We lived with her dad until I got out of the Air Force. I got a job with General Electric Computer Department. We moved temporarily to Phoenix Arizona while I went to school starting October 9, 1967. We came back to Charlotte, North Carolina April 1968 which was my first job assignment. We went back to Phoenix, Arizona in late fall of 1976 for training on a new computer system.

We moved to Hickory, NC in April of 1977. In May of 1978 I ask Jay if he would like for me to adopt him so he could carry the Fralish name and he said yes (second happiest day of my life).

Jay graduated from Hickory High School and was accepted at North Carolina State University. He took Air Force R.O.T.C. while there and was offered a pilot training position upon graduation. In 1983 he went to pilot training at Williams Air Force Base in Mesa Arizona where he met his future wife, Cathy Hill. They were married June 15, 1985. We were given 3 grandchildren; Lauren Elizabeth Fralish, Kyle Fralish and Mitchel David Fralish. Lauren and husband Clay Hall gave us 4 great grandchildren; Hayley, McKenzie, Molly Cate and Hunter Hall. Kyle Fralish and wife Jenna gave us 2 great grandchildren Charlene and Olivia Fralish.

After getting out of the Air Force, Jay got hired at Delta Airlines in Atlanta Georgia.

We were so proud when our grandson Kyle recently got hired by Delta Airlines also in Atlanta Georgia.

Fay was employed in the medical field almost her entire adult life. She loved to shop until her eyesight got so bad that she could not read much of anything.

I think of the many trips we took; Hawaii, Alaska and Europe. I believe Europe especially Italy was her favorite.

When we got married Fay had a spits & Chow dog named Puff. After moving to Hickory, a lady, she worked with gifted Fay with a purebred miniature Poodle named Coco. Next we rescued a mixed Poodle and Bichon named Skittles from the Alexander County Animal shelter, which I think was her favorite. Our current dog is a Cockapoo named Coco which we rehomed from a family in Roanoke Virginia. This dog has attached herself to me and that did not endear or win favor with Fay, but she loved her anyway.

Beverly Fay went home to her heavenly home with Jesus on July 2, 2023 at Atrium Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, NC after a devastating fall at her home.

A Celebration of Life was held at Lakeview Baptist on her 83rd birthday August 18, 2023.

Fay will be missed by all and loved forever.

Dear Mom

I thought I’d write you a letter. I used to write you letters when I was away at summer camp or college. That was way before texts and free long distance calls. Or person to person collect calls (Inside joke only you and Jeanette know about.). I never took the chance to thank you for one of the most important lessons you taught me. Unconditional love, the kind our Lord has for us. Similar to the unconditional love between a parent and a child. Since I was your favorite child (and only) I got all your love and attention, even when I didn’t want it. It was not until I got married, had children of my own and grandchildren, that I realized how important unconditional love is. I never had any doubt that I had that love from you. Even when I was not doing what was best for me or what you wanted me to do, I always knew you loved me.

I am so glad you are no longer in pain and you have a new body. I know the Saints are already tired of hearing all about how perfect your children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren are. Makes me smile thinking about it.

So, Mom, until we meet in Glory, we all will keep you deep in our hearts, and remember all those things you taught us about love and life!

Love you more!

Jay

One thing that Gram always said and texted at the end of any conversation with me was “I love you over the rainbow and back.” Some people see cardinals as their angels visiting, I will always imagine Gram as a blue bird flying over the rainbow. We have always been such Wizard of Oz fans! Until we meet you over the rainbow one day, we will look for you in beautiful reminders and remember you in the most fond memories! Thank you for being one of my biggest cheerleaders and encouragers! I love you over the rainbow and back!

Lauren (and Clay, Hayley, McKenzie, Molly & Hunter)

Thoughts about Fay or Gram as most of us called her, from her Daughter-in-law Cathy

I’ve known Gram for nearly 40 years. Such a long time, and it’s only been a short time now for this new life without her to sink in. I am so grateful for the amazing love that she had for her family. Family was everything to her, and although we never lived close she was always very intentional in trying to stay involved in our lives. Countless notes, cards, phone calls and text messages to stay connected to Jay and I, and also to our kids (her grandchildren), and their children (her great grandchildren). Never did she miss a milestone, a birthday, an achievement, a struggle, a loss, or sometimes just a call or text to say “hi, I love you, just thinking about you.” Watching her try to learn this new technology called a cell phone and social media was a total hoot, but she sure did figure out how to use it to stay further connected with those she loved.

We will never be able to replace those simple, but meaningful and important acts of love and kindness she would show so often. I know she did those same things for many friends, relatives and even strangers or new acquaintances.

Thank you for loving us so much! You have left a big hole in our hearts and lives, but I am thankful and so blessed to have been a part of your family here on earth.

Missing you every day!

Your Daughter-in-Love

Hey dad,

I wrote you this a few weeks ago, but couldn’t really find the best time to send it to you. After the past few days, I feel like I would love for you to know how much we really loved gram.

I wanted to write this to you because I'm not great at saying it. But we all loved Gram so much. She was the absolute best grandmother that I could have ever imagined. One of my favorite things about her was how I could call her at any time and she would always make me feel like the most important person in the world. No matter when I called. She was the most caring and kind person I have probably ever met. If I ever needed a pick me up, I knew I could call Gram and she would make me feel so special and important. If there's any person on this earth that is undoubtedly going to heaven, it is Gram. She was so strong in her faith and I will always strive to be like that. I have so many amazing memories that we have made with her and will always remember and cherish. She loved us all so much and I am so happy that she was able to see me and Jenna start our family and get to know the girls and see them for the time she did. She did so many special things that I know we'll always remember. It won't be the same without her and I know it's even more difficult for you. So if you ever need a good cry or to just talk about her and remember the amazing person she was, we always can at any time. She was so loved and respected and appreciated. Everything she did for us was always so thoughtful and I have always felt like her love was completely unconditional. I feel like the way Gram loved us was just about as close to the love of God that we will probably ever feel. She was an absolutely amazing Gram, Christian, and woman. We will all miss her so much. I love you, and please take me up on if you ever need a good hug or cry.

I love you,

Kyle

Dear Gram,

I still remember how I felt when we would visit every Thanksgiving growing up, and that is still the feeling I get when I think of you; love. I remember sneaking through the kitchen at your house to eat a few pieces of your “way too good fudge” before dinner. I remember jumping in the leaves in your backyard and laying on the floor in your living room looking through magazines telling you what I wanted for Christmas. Those memories, like your love, last forever. I felt the profound love you had for us every time I saw you up until the last time I spoke to you when you told me how proud you were of the man I am today. Even in the lowest points of my life you were proud of me and you always told me that God has a plan. You may not have known it then, but your words and your love meant the world to me. It is good to know that you are no longer in pain and your love will touch us for the rest of our lives, until we meet again one day. I love you and I am forever grateful to be your grandson. You will be in my heart forever.

P.S. I hope you will have some “way too good” fudge ready for me when I see you again.

Love,

Mitch

Beverly Fay Fruitticher Fralish, 82, of Taylorsville, NC, passed away July 2, 2023 at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC.

Born August 18, 1940 in Macon, GA, she was the daughter of the late Christopher Columbus Fruitticher and Bertha Bernice Melton Fruitticher. A member of Lakeview Baptist Church in Hickory, she was previously employed in the medical field as an office manager.

Fay is survived by her husband of 56 years, L. A. Fralish; son, Jay C. Fralish and wife Cathy; grandchildren, Lauren Hall and husband Clay, Kyle C. Fralish and wife Jenna, and Mitch Fralish; six great-grandchildren; and brother, Christopher Wilkes Fruitticher.

A Memorial Service was held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, August 18, 2023 at Lakeview Baptist Church with Pastor Troy Grant officiating.

The family received friends from 11:00 am until 11:45 a.m. prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Lakeview Baptist Church, Elevator Fund, 4080 N Center Street, Hickory, NC 28601.

Condolences may be sent to the Fralish family at www.drumfh-hickory.com.

Drum Funeral Home in Hickory is honored to be serving the Fralish family.