Edith Louise H. Frye

Edith Louise Hice Frye of Drexel, a loving and beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away October 20, 2009 at Burke Hospice and Palliative Care following a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's disease.

Edith was born on March 16, 1921 in Valdese to the late Henry Hice and Bertie Speagle Hice. She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Frank J. Frye; sisters Eva Yount of Newton, Hilda Gamper of Hickory, Ellen Delene Hice of Valdese and brothers, James Hice and Eddie Hice of Valdese.

She was a retired employee from Alba-Waldensian Hosiery Mill and enjoyed gardening, genealogy, caring for friends, neighbors and family members and spending time with her children and family. She was a member of Drexel First Baptist Church.

Edith is survived by her loving and devoted daughters and caretakers Freda Ann Setzer and husband Fred of Drexel and Rita Kay Abee and husband Steve of Lenoir; granddaughter Sandra Poarch and husband Tony of Granite Falls, and great-grandsons Josh Poarch of Drexel and Cody Poarch at UNC Greensboro. They all feel blessed to have had the opportunity to give back some of the sacrificial love that Edith had given them. Other surviving members include sisters Ethel Powell and Betty Raxter of Valdese, Margaret Cranford of Newton, Norma Honeycutt of Charlotte, Merline Wyrick Davis and Wanda Andrews, both of Greensboro; brothers Charles Hice of Hickory, Richard Hice of Greensboro, Larry Hice of Gainesville, Florida, special sister-in-law, Norma Hice of Valdese, niece Reba Miller of Lincolnton and Cathy Deal of Valdese, as well numerous other nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 2 until 3 at Heritage Funeral Service.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at 3 PM on Friday, October 23 in the Chapel of Heritage Funeral Service with Pastor Don Smith, Hospice Chaplain Ted Swann and Rev. Tito Madroza officiating. Private interment will be at Burke Memorial Park.

The family would like to extend eternal gratitude to Hospice and Palliative Care of Burke County for their kindness and tender loving care rendered to Edith and her family during her last days. Also special thanks to the many friends and family members for all acts of kindness shown to Edith during her extended illness.

Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Burke County, 17221 Enon, Valdese, NC 28690 or The American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305.

An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com.

Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory is assisting the family.