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Lydia FRAY Obituary
Lydia was born on Dec. 13, 1996, in Norfolk, Va. Most of her life was spent in Brazil, where she happily helped her missionary parents. She will always be remembered as the girl with a great smile, a friend to everyone, and who never complained in spite of being born with spina bifida.
She is survived by her loving parents, Nathan and Diane Fray; her sister, Priscila; her paternal grandparents, Marvin and Diane Fray in Brazil; her maternal grandma, Eloise Willoughby of Newport News; many uncles, aunts, cousins, and countless friends.
She was reunited with her maternal granddaddy, John Willoughby Jr.
There will be a celebration of her life at Bethel Baptist Church, 1647 Briarfield Road, Hampton, Va., at 6 p.m. today, Sept. 5.
In lieu of flowers, her family is requesting contributions be made to the Lydia Joy Fray Memorial Fund at Baptist Mid-Missions, Cleveland, Ohio. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Lydia FRAY
Sabrina Alves
October 4, 2010
LYLY...
I LOVE YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH, MUCH.,
Les & Gerry Curtis
September 19, 2010
Lydia was a special person whose presence was known every time she came into the room. We will miss her presence but her name will not be forgotten
Bob Schabel
September 12, 2010
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Saundra Christopher
September 9, 2010
We were blessed by Lydia when you all visited us at Bethel Baptist Church Cary. Our prayers are with you for comfort to the God of all comfort.
May God continue to bless!
Brad & Priscilla Jones
September 9, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family. Blessings to you.
Pastor Kyle & Christina Sullivan
September 9, 2010
We pray for your comfort during this time of Lydia's home going. We too, have a daughter walking in heaven. Our pain is Heaven's gain, We look forward to seeing our daughter as I'm sure you do too. Praise God that one day He will wipe away all tears (Rev 21:4), but for now He sees them and cares (Ps 56:8-9)!!
September 8, 2010
We were so blessed to know Lydia, for her to be at our missions conference at Bethel this past February and to hear her sing. She truly was a joy! Praying for you at this time.
Carol Haemker
Bethel Baptist Church, Cary, NC
September 8, 2010
Remembering Lydia during the times you were at Bethel Baptist (Cary, NC) always brings a smile to my heart. Looking forward with you to never being parted again from those we love so much. Sharen Bass
September 8, 2010
May God be your comfort as you remember Lydia and the love she shares with her Savior.
Dee Rivers
Marshall, VA
Carolyn Stearns
September 8, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Teresa Cypher
September 8, 2010
I'll always remember my little buddy at Bethel Baptist in Cary NC this winter - and remembering our fun wheelchair ride in the falling snow. My heart breaks, she was a joy to be around, God's light truly shown through her smile. Sending a big hug and prayers your way. I can't wait to walk and dance with her in Heaven! In deepest sympathy...
Eddy & Suzy Cannon
September 8, 2010
Nathan, Diane and Priscila,
It was so good to see you this spring and get to meet Lydia. Her smile lit up the entire world. She was such an inspiration and will be missed by so many. Anyone that came in contact with Lydia could not be around her without being blessed. No doubt she is the presence of the Lord. She is walking and running the streets of gold. Please know that we are praying for you.
Forever He is Faithful,
Temple Baptist Church
September 7, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories of Lydia bring you comfort. We will certainly miss her smiling face. May God bless your family.
Nancy Clarke
September 6, 2010
It was our great joy to have known and loved Lydia. She was always such a happy little girl with God's light brightly shining thru her beautiful eyes. I remember how she loved my birthstone ring necklace and she'd put her little finger thru the rings. I join many who say "thank-you", Nathan and Diane for sharing Lydia with us..she was truly a blessing. Our hearts and prayers go out to you all during this time of loss. God bless you and comfort you all.
With love, Bill and Nancy Clarke
Jordan Overton
September 6, 2010
As previously stated, me and everyone down here in Williamsburg that have been to Brasil or have somehow passed through and met you guys we will all miss Lydia. I am happy to know that she's with her Savior now running around, no longer bound to a wheelchair. We will continue to pray for you.
Rev. Ronald Jones
September 5, 2010
Our love and prayer's are with you at this time. She was a beautiful child of God. She was a blessing to our people at the church, when you and your family was visiting.
Nancy Willoughby
September 5, 2010
Lydia's service was beautiful. I have enjoyed watching her grow through the years and she has been a wonderful niece. I am so glad that I got to spend so much time with her last year at school and on our special trip. She will be missed greatly but she has been an inspiration to so many. I loved her dearly. To all the Frays and Grandma Willoughby, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I love you forever! Aunt Nancy
Rodney Willoughby
September 5, 2010
Lydia will be greatly missed, it was an honor to have her as my niece. Her beautiful smile and optimistic outlook on life will always be remembered.
There are several lessons we can learn from her life. First of all she was cheerful despite her disability. Most of us complain over traffic jams, long lines at the store and other inconveniences. From a human perspective Lydia would have seemed justified if she had been discontent with her plight but she chose not to gripe or complain. Instead she focused on being a blessing to others.
In addition to her pleasant attitude she maximized her life for Christ. None of us can control when we are born or when we die but we can control the dash between birth and death. David Brainerd was a missionary to the Indians in the 1700's. Even though he died at the age of 29 it is said that he was responsible for more people entering Christian service than any man who ever lived. Lydia may become the female version of David Brainerd. Hebrews 11:4 mentions "...being dead yet speaketh." Lydia has opened many doors of ministry in Brazil and America in her 13+ years; however in her death I believe even more people will be saved and churches established because of Lydia's legacy. May our prayer be that of David Brainerd "that we might not outlive our usefulness". May Lydia be our role model to maximize our time left on earth to honor Jesus Christ.
Nathan, Diane, Priscilla, Mom: My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time of loss. May you sense God's presence more than you ever have before.
Pastor Bob Lyons
September 5, 2010
As friends of our Church, I join our members in wishing God's Grace for the Fray Family in their time of loss. God's Grace is sufficient and we add our Prayers to His Grace for you at this time. We remember Lydia as a bright and beautiful child and her family as devoted Missionaries in God's service. We will continue praying for you.
Tony, Becky, Jacob & Caleb Palalay
September 5, 2010
Nathan, Diane & Priscila,
Tonight's Celebration of Life Service for Lydia was remarkable...a true reflection of the life she lived and loved!
We love you all and continue to pray for you. Thank you for sharing Lydia with us.
Bill & Susan Atchison
September 5, 2010
What a privilege to have had the opportunity to know Lydia. Lydia always had a smile on her face and was always greeted everyone with such excitement. If you ever meet Lydia, you would never forget her. Lydia will be missed by all. Joy was a perfect name for Lydia.
We will be praying God will comfort Nathan, Diane and Priscilla and all her family and friends.
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