Feb. 13, 1928 — Aug 19, 2025
“Strength and honor are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come.”
– Proverbs 31:25
With deep love and sorrow, we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother, Bettie Lou Sheldon Frye, on Aug.19, at the age of 97. She departed this life at her daughter Lisa’s home in Talent, Oregon, her body gently giving way after a long and full journey. Though we were blessed to have her with us for nearly a century, letting go of the one who first taught us to live and love is never easy. In God alone, joy and sorrow can exist side by side.
Bettie was born on Feb.13, 1928, in Kenton, Ohio, to Everett Sheldon and Katherine Benner Sheldon. She was one of six children: Margaret, Mary Jane, Junior, Billie Jean, and Jerry.
At the age of 19, Bettie met Jackson Frye Jr. in a mining camp in Holden, Washington. They married on July 7, 1947, and together built a life grounded in hard work and family. They welcomed four daughters: Linda and Lana, born in Chelan, Washington, and Lorelei and Lisa, born in Mountain View, California. All four daughters survive her and carry her legacy forward.
Bettie’s life was rich with love, laughter, and purpose. She was a proud grandmother to seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Her devotion to family was unwavering and remains her most profound legacy.
She found joy in simple pleasures, reading, baking, gardening (with gardenias as her favorite flower), and a special love of trees. Bettie had a beautiful singing voice and was once a proud member of the Sweet Adelines. Her rendition of “Crazy” could transport listeners, echoing the soulful voice of Patsy Cline herself.
Throughout her life, Bettie modeled strength and perseverance. She worked in many roles, serving hungry miners, working in the electronics field, jewelry manufacturing, and at Harry & David, all with an unshakable work ethic that she passed down to her children.
Our memories of her are a rich tapestry of joy, tears, laughter, resilience, and triumph. One of our most cherished memories is her quiet reminder each evening: when we’d say, “See you tomorrow,” she’d respond with, “God willing,” a gentle acknowledgment of her deep faith and trust in God’s plan.
Though we grieve her absence, we are comforted by her enduring presence in our hearts. As she would say from her new home in eternity: “I am not gone. Look for me, I am all around you.”
A celebration of her life will be held this fall.
Obituaries may be submitted to Ashland.news via our online article submission form, or via email to [email protected], with a photo or two attached if desired. Please be sure to include dates of birth and death, and reference to connections to Ashland/Talent/Southern Oregon. Please allow a few days for posting. There is no charge. Those wishing to make a donation supporting the Ashland.news service may do so here.
