Nelda Ray Fry

Nelda Ray DeSpain Fry was born on June 7, 1927, to Raymond and Ada DeSpain. She went home to her heavenly Father at the age of 95 years, 7 months, on January 19, 2023. She is survived by her sister Virginia Ray of Marble Falls, her four children, Kenneth Michael Fry and wife Pat of Cypress Mill, Robert Ray Fry and wife Mary of Marble Falls, Kay McCoy and husband Clayton of Austin and Kerry Williams and husband Bryan of Round Mountain. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren. Nelda was born at home in Spicewood, Texas and spent her childhood there growing up as a gospel preachers’ oldest daughter with three younger sisters. She shared stories of doing “man work” since there were no boys in the family. Things like milking cows, slopping the pigs, killing chickens, gathering eggs, hoeing the cotton rows and picking cotton were some of her chores. She attended school in the little Spicewood Schoolhouse. She told of sitting on the school steps crying when entering first grade because she didn’t want to go. She did well in school and spoke fondly of her years there playing softball. When the Spicewood School closed down, she went into Marble Falls to complete high school. After high school, Nelda moved to Austin, sharing rent with cousins in a small house and working at Scarboroughs Department Store downtown. On November 1, 1947, Nelda married Jesse Kenneth Fry. After 5 years they welcomed their first child, Kenneth Michael. Within the following 7 years they were blessed with another son and two daughters. Nelda was an avid homemaker. She kept an immaculate house, managed the family finances, always making a little into enough. She and Jesse shared interests in raising cattle, gardening and making sure there was always something beautiful blooming in the yard. Nelda poured herself into her family and church, modeling a deliberate life of faith in God. Visitation for Nelda will be Friday, January 27, 2023, from 5 – 7 pm at Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home. Her funeral service will be Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 2:00 pm at the Marble Falls Church of Christ and burial will be at the Marble Falls City Cemetery.