Oprah ended her show yesterday by saying ...........................
'We've had many stories leaving a special heart print that we will never forget.'
As SOON as I heard her words, I thought of my friend, Betty Frye.
Betty and Russell's son James entered the Air Force in February
of 2007. James was Betty's only child. She looked around the
internet and found a home at a Yahoo group of other Air Force
Mom and Dads.
She joined while James was still in basic training.
Betty was ONE of a kind and she certainly left a great big
ole HEART PRINT on my heart.
I once joked to her that she must buy her stamps in rolls for the
many cards
and letters she mailed out. SHE admitted to me that she DID.
BETTY was the QUEEN of SNAIL MAIL. It was a letter to a kid
down at BMT, a get well card for someone's Mom or Dad. Or
even mail to friends of AF Mom
and Dad buddies, Betty was on it with a card or note.
I did not come to learn of the many many care support boxes
she mailed out to military kids until after her passing. Russ
shared with me their many trips to Wally mart where Betty
loaded the cart with supplies to ship.
Betty and I corresponded only via email and messages over
the net.
The very first time we spoke on the phone was when she phoned
me to say that she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
and she only had months to live.
It was a gut wrenching call to say the least. I assured Betty
that we would be there for James and Russell.
Oprah's show yesterday featured a Mom, Erin Kramp, who was
dying of cancer.
The Erin chronicled herself in videos and audio recordings for
her young daughter who was 6 when she passed. The final
audio message she taped was played yesterday.
In that message Erin asked people not to forget about her.
My friend Betty never did any of those special tapes like Erin
did, but I had an overwhelming feeling that Betty would have
said the same thing.
I will never forget you Betty..... You left an eternal
~ HEART PRINT ~
Love you girl !!!!
Betty Anne Frye 2-7-1953 ~ 7-12-2009
Betty Anne Frye of Petersburg, Va., formerly of Morattico, Va.,
passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2009. She was a member of
Norwood Baptist Church, Morattico, Va. and a member of
Air Force Moms and Dads.
My wife Betty, besides being the best wife and friend was
my soul mate. I will surely miss and be lost without her.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents Francis and
Mary Anthony.
She is survived by her husband of 27 years, Russell Frye,
one son; James A. Frye (was) stationed at Sheppard Air Force
Base, Texas, and two fur babies; her dogs; Sofie and Buddy.
The family will receive friends at Jones-Ash Funeral Home,
Rainswood, Va., on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 from 7:00 to 8:30PM.
Funeral services will be held at Norwood Baptist Church,
Morattico, Va. on Wednesday, July 15th at 11:00AM.
Burial to follow in the church cemetery.
♥Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥ Family isn't always blood. It's the people in
your life who want you in theirs. The ones who accept you
for who you are. The ones who would do anything to
see you smile, and who love you no matter what. ♥Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥
~ Our 'sister' Betty ~