Rhea Joyce Fry

Rhea Joyce Fry, 84, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 1, in the presence of her daughters. Rhea was born in Arickaree, Colorado to William Leroy Jones and Hazel Belle (Brown) Jones. She was the eldest of three children.

Rhea graduated from North Salem High in 1950. In 1961, Rhea married Herbert Clark Fry who adopted her two daughters, Debby and Cindy.

Rhea was a fabulous home maker. She enjoyed making the family home a “home” for all. Rhea enjoyed sewing clothes for her and the girls, antique shopping and refurbishing, toll painting and the ladies Bible study classes at Salem First Baptist church. She was also involved with Hadassah and the Messianic church for several years. Fond memories of her family include playing rummy, pinochle and aggravation; shopping, eating popcorn and family celebrations of the holidays.

A longtime resident on Keizer’s Ivy Way, in a home built by Herb for his family, Rhea and Herb eventually moved to a condo at McNary Estates and then to Redwood Heights.

Rhea is survived by her daughters, Debby Williams (Terry) and Cindy Watson; her grandchildren, Jason (Jennifer) Watson, Amy (Vaughn) Morrison, Matt Williams, Joel (Jenice) Williams, and Allison (John) Galvin; 14 great-grandchildren, Codie, Christian, Colton, Ashlyn, Chloe, Riley, Katelyn, Parker, Talen, Josiah, Jonah, Julia, Jadon and Delaney; and her sister Reva Volk.

Rhea is preceded in death by her husband of 54 years Herbert Clark Fry, daughter Mary Hazel, son Michael Patrick, brother Billy Jones, father William Jones and mother and step-father Hazel and Homer McElhaney.

The family extends thanks to the staff at Redwood Heights for the loving care provided to Rhea and Herb and to Willamette Valley Hospice for the support and care of Rhea during her final days.

Services will be Tuesday, December 27 at 1 pm, at First Baptist Church, 395 Marion St NE, Salem.