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BORN
1921
DIED
2015
Clara Frye Obituary
Virginia Beach - Clara Nelson "Polly" Earman Frye passed into the hands of her Lord on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at Sentara Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg, Va.
The eldest daughter of Willie C. and Stella Crowe Earman, Polly was born on June 25, 1921 in Keezletown, Va. Except for seven years in Virginia Beach, she lived her entire life in the Harrisonburg area.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Wilson Frye, Jr.; sister, Mabel Lee Wise; great-grandson, Chad E. Frazier; and special friend, Lowell H. Miller.
Polly is survived by three sons, Tony Boyer (Faye), of Keezletown, Bruce Frye (Lydia), of Mechanicsville, and Brent Frye of Virginia Beach and four grandchildren.
Polly and her husband Charles opened Charles and Polly-Photographers in 1951. Polly was the first women in Virginia to receive a Certified Professional Photographers Degree. During the course of her career she also earned the degrees of Master Photographer and Craftsman Photographer from the Professional Photographers of America. She earned Fellow of Photographer from the Virginia Association, the highest degree awarded by the state.
During those years, she not only served as president but was the first executive secretary and recently retired after 24 years as executive treasurer.
Polly was an active member for 62 years of QUOTA International, where she served as president of the Harrisonburg Club twice and Governor of the 19th District.
Polly was also a member of the National League of American Pen Women. She continued to serve the community with two terms as president and also Virginia State President.
While living in Virginia Beach, she served as President of the local Toastmistress Club. Polly was a founding member of OASIS and a former board member of the Virginia Quilt Museum.
In 1971, while Charles was at sea on the USS Stickell in the Mid-East, Rear Adm. James Hildreth pinned Polly "Destroyer Lady of the Cruiser-Destroyer Force of the US Atlantic Fleet".
Mrs. Frye was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church and the Francis Asbury Sunday School Class. A memorial service will be held at the church on Saturday, April 4, 2015 at 11:00 am. The family will receive friends following the service at the Cross Keys Barn at 921 Cross Keys Road, Harrisonburg. In honor of Polly, the family requests that those attending wear something purple.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Polly Frye VPPA Scholarship Fund in care of Don Aittama, 1960 Floyd Circle, McGaheysville, VA 22840; Quota Club's Scholarship in care of Joyce Moyers, 1284 Shank Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22802; Asbury United Methodist Church, 205 South Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22801 or a charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Clara Frye
Sponsored by the family.
Chris Grandle
April 6, 2015
What a great lady... Bruce and Family, our hearts go out to you. May God's love help to heal the hole that has been left in your lives and all our lives. Chris, Becky, and Judy Grandle
Margie Hatcher
March 30, 2015
Thinking of you at this difficult time. May your memories bring you comfort and strength. Prayers for all of you!!
With Deepest Sympathy and love ,
Margie Hatcher (VPPA)
Joyce Shaver Smith
March 30, 2015
No one was a stranger to Polly; she will be missed by many friends and relatives.
Sara Shaver Long
March 29, 2015
Polly was my father's cousin and I remember her dearly at the Crowe family reunions. She took formal portraits of me and each of my sisters at 5 years of age. I continued the tradition with my two children, Annie and Stuart. When it was time, 1993, for Stuart's portrait, she was working out of her parents home in Keezletown. Since Stuart was reticent about the picturing taking, we had brought our Corgi, Molly with us and have some beautiful pictures of both of them. Thank you Polly!
Terry and Connie Bodkin
March 29, 2015
Polly was a wonderful woman. She was vibrant, funny and had the best eye for color. She was a woman of many talents, and we will miss her. Our deepest sympathies.
Nancy Andre
March 27, 2015
Polly, was my mother's best friend( Nancy Starkey) also she was my friend. When I moved to Harrisonburg in 2009 after my husband died , she was there for me. We had some good times and memories back in the 60's, Northern Va. Photographer conventions and picnic 's. She was loved by all and will be missed.
Bill Hinegardner
March 27, 2015
Poly was a friend of my Mom's and she took my wife and I's first photo as man and wife. My condolences to the family for the loss of the creative light that was Polly.
Teresa (Cupp) May
March 25, 2015
I became acquainted with Polly when I was a student at Blue Ridge Community College and found out what a wonderful lady she was. Several years later I asked her for the honor to have her as a photographer for my wedding and I will have these photos forever to remind me of her. My deepest sympathy to Polly's family.
Sue Fansler
March 25, 2015
Polly, you will be missed by so many people. You are the last to go from the Pinochle group. I'm sure the group has room for you at the table in heaven. Your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Cinda Hinegardner
March 25, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. I grew up in Keezletown and lived right across her home place. She took photographs of me when I was very little and also a family picture with my mother(Jo Ann Wright Hinegardner). They were friends for a very long time.
March 25, 2015
With my deepest sympathy for the loss of your grandmother,I know ya'll will miss her very much.by her picture she was a pretty lady and looked to be a very sweet and loving person,I guess that's where some of your sweetest and generosity comes from Sherry,you have always been the sweetest to me ,my son(grandson)daughter,and entire family,and I will never forget it so if there's anything at all I can do for you please let me know and the same for you as well Terry,deepest Sympathy,Donna Hammer Lawson and family
Arlene Fishel
March 24, 2015
What a wonderful and accomplished woman! Prayers and sympathy to her family!
Scott Elyard
March 24, 2015
Polly was a great person and will be missed.
Gwen Miller
March 24, 2015
With deepest sympathies, on behalf of the Margery R. Shank family and myself. Thank you, Polly for all the wonderful memories that you captured for us.
March 24, 2015
A little sparkle left the world on Saturday; she will be greatly missed. Our condolences to the entire family and especially Terri and Sherry. Dianne and Terry Fertitta
Phillip Updike
March 24, 2015
..with fond memories of Polly Frye and with deepest sympathy to her family.
Phillip and Christina Updike
Deloris Shank
March 24, 2015
I loved Polly Wolly Doodle All Day and will miss her very much. She was a remarkable lady and seemed to enjoy life to its fullest. Needless to say, I have been truly blessed by her presence in my life. I appreciated her sense of humor and respected her as a kind, caring, loving, bright and intelligent person. I was deeply saddened to hear about her death and wish to express my sincere sympathy to her family. May the precious memories of all the beautiful experiences you shared with her serve to comfort you, console you, sustain you and give you peace.
Patricia Hieke-Fish and Jake Fish
March 24, 2015
Our heartfelt love reaches out to the family and dear friends through the body of the VPPA,of Polly Frye. A wonderfully dedicated, sweet lady who gave her all to VPPA. Her significant impact touched all of our lives and profession. She brought sunshine to our conventions through a glowing example of a lifetime commitment. She will be dearly missed. The first time my husband and I won major awards, Polly endorsed and embraced us with great encouragement. God bless her living to 94. She was beautiful,greatly loved.No one could have ever guessed her age.
Pastor Steve Hay
March 24, 2015
Polly lived a very rich life and enriched ours along the way. I am grateful to have been a part of her life, even if for just these last 18 months.
Barbara Riffey
March 24, 2015
Polly & Charles were such nice people. My husband worked for Charles & Polly Photography in the early 60s. She will be greatly missed. They were so nice to my husband both as a friend & employee. I know if he were alive he would certainly say the same. my condolences to the family.
Linda Lau
March 23, 2015
Polly was such a special lady - always on the go and with a great spirit and love of life. Her Nippon-collecting friends will definitely miss her; our get-together's will just not be the same without her.
Kathy thompson
March 23, 2015
What a wonderfully written obit for Polly. Such a tribute for a caring and loving person and professional. She will be remembered and missed indeed. Prayers for the family.
Jeff & Melinda Long
March 23, 2015
Words cannot express how much I will miss our little chats from such a sweet lady that I only got to know for a few short months. You were very precious to Jeff and I both. Your sweet smile will forever be missed. God was given another angel when you left us.
March 23, 2015
Polly was such a kind and caring lady. What a privilege to have known her as a friend. Our thoughts & prayers are with each member of her family. Curtis & Gail Link
Jeff Dean
March 23, 2015
Very sorry on the loss of Polly a very sweet lady who will be missed by all who knew her.
Rod & Debbie Miller
March 23, 2015
She was a very special part of the Miller family. She will be missed.
Pam Atkins
March 23, 2015
The Fryes used to be our neighbours on Alleghany avenue. Polly used to take our pictures too. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her sons.
Mary Madison
March 23, 2015
Polly was a beautiful lady and a wonderful Methodist friend. I will miss her.
March 23, 2015
To all her family, you were blessed to have had her. She was a very pretty lady in every respect. Bernice Atkins
David & Michele Van Pelt
March 23, 2015
Miss Polly, you were a very sweet lady and it was a great pleasure and privilege to know you. Your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
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