Doris Jean Western

Doris Jean Western FT. DEFIANCE

Doris Jean (Frazee) Western, 82, of Fort Defiance, passed away on Tuesday, December 7, 2010, at Augusta Health.

She was born in Morgantown, West Virginia, on July 1, 1928, the daughter of the late Asa Ralph and Grace Catherine (Guthrie) Frazee.

Mrs. Western lived in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and graduated from South Union High School. While there, she accompanied her high school music groups on piano. After graduation, she attended Bridgewater College where she majored in Elementary Education and Music and accompanied coral groups on the organ.

After meeting her husband, John Lee Western, the two were married by the Reverend Guy West. The couple shared a loving union of 62 years in Fort Defiance.

She was an active member of Uniontown Church of the Brethren in Pennsylvania and Middle River Church of the Brethren in Virginia. Mrs. Western currently attended New Hope United Methodist Church. She was also very active in many other activities and church work. She was a member of Hill and Dale Garden Club, which she participated in designing many award winning arrangements; working in her flower gardens was also a favorite past time.

Jean taught school in Augusta County for many years. She loved children and owned Little BoPeep Kindergarten at Verona United Methodist Church from 1970 until 1974. Mrs. Western loved teaching children and each one was a special gift to her. There was not a child Jean met who she couldn't relate to.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by daughter, Shirley Western of Charlottesville; brothers, Willard Frazee and his wife, Betty, and Raymond Frazee and his wife, Lois, all of Uniontown, Pennsylvania; sister-in-law, Mrs. Thomas Smiley of Waynesboro; special nephew, Terry Smiley of Waynesboro; special cousin, Darwin Shaffer of Hazelton, West Virginia; canine friend, Patty; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be held 3 p.m. Friday, December 10, 2010, at New Hope United Methodist Church with the Reverend R. Douglas Gunsalus officiating. Burial will be private.

There will be no formal viewing or visitation at the funeral home.

The family would like to extend a special heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Western's caregivers, Lydia Graber, Regina Ritchie, Katie Thomas, Sue Gery, and Karen Wimer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Hope United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 86, New Hope, VA 24469; or New Hope Fire Department, 691 Battlefield Rd., New Hope, VA 24469.

Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes and Crematory.


This obituary was originally published in the News Virginian.