Jo Ann Howard Fry

Jo Ann (Jodie) Howard Fry, 82, of Abilene, passed away Saturday, June 29, 2013 at a private care home in Abilene. A service is scheduled for 2:00 pm Tuesday the 2nd of July in the atrium at Highland Church of Christ, with burial to follow at Elmwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Monday night from 5-7 pm at Piersall Benton, 733 Butternut St.


Jodie was born on November 26, 1930 to James and Georgia Howard in Benavides, Texas. She married David M. Fry in 1951 in Abilene, and the same year graduated with a BA in Physical Education from Abilene Christian College. Jodie's primary activities throughout her married life revolved around supporting the career of her husband and caring for her four children, in moves including Eastland, Lamesa, Borger, Abilene, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Denver, Mexico City, Plano and finally Abilene for retirement. She enjoyed working alongside her husband at Casa Bonita Restaurants as well as volunteering extensively at several organizations including the Abilene Food Pantry and various nursing homes.

Jodie had a love for sports and the outdoors, for softball, volleyball, water and snow skiing, and hiking in the mountains. She had a gift of hospitality, was a dear friend to many and was a faithful servant in the churches wherever she and David lived. She was a devoted wife, a wise and caring mother, a much loved grandmother, and a beautiful woman inside and out.

Jodie was preceded in death by her husband David and her parents. She is survived by her twin sister, Helen Dobbs and husband Jim, of Snellville, GA, a brother, Jim Howard of Pendergrass, GA, daughter Diana Morrell and husband David of Abilene, son Don Fry and wife Gay of Oklahoma City, daughter Julie Dawson and husband Dean of Tool, and daughter Amy Castro and husband Jaime of Boerne. Jodie will be greatly missed by her family, including 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren, as well as a host of relatives and friends.

The family extends a special thanks for Jodie's care in the home of Mary Beth Slaughter, and for support of the caring staff and volunteers of Hendrick Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hendrick Hospice at 1682 Hickory St., Abilene, TX. 79601. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.