Neva Marie (Dicus) Fry, a long time resident of Booker and member of the Booker Friends Church, passed from her life here on earth on Dec. 1, 2020.
Neva was born Oct. 24, 1923 in Jefferson County, IN, to James Charles and Velma Blance (Flint) Dicus. Neva graduated from Hanover High School in 1942 and then went on to Hanover College where she majored in Home Economics.
Neva met her husband, Norman Fry at Camp Attebury, IN. They were married on July 23, 1948, in Kansas City, MO. Norman and Neva returned to the Fry farm south of Darrouzett. In 1951, they started their family of four girls, Gwenlyn, Nancy, Janice, and Ann.
In 1955 Neva and Norman moved to Ft. Riley KS. Neva was a stay-at-home-mom and Norman worked as an electrician for the Army post. The Frys moved to Booker in June 1964 and started Fry Electric. Neva did the books for the business, raised their daughters, and looked after his parents.
Neva, a good mother and business partner, was also a pretty good carpenter. She and Norman designed and built their own home in Booker, where they lived for 45 years. Neva was also an excellent seamstress. Neva was an exceptional housekeeper and cook, too.
Norman fell from a light pole and broke his back when he was 49. The doctors told him he could live 15 to 20 years in his condition. He lived for 31 years in his wheelchair. We attribute his long life to the excellent nursing and care he received from his Neva. Norman and Neva enjoyed spending the winter in Venice, FL with her mother until Norman was no longer able to travel.
Neva was the kind of person who excelled at all she did, because she never said, “I can’t”. She and Norman taught their four daughters they could be and do anything if they put their mind to it.
Neva moved to The Seasons Assisted Living in Perryton in 2011. She lived there until April of 2017 and then moved to Senior Village in Perryton. Those of you who met her after she moved to Perryton didn’t get to know the real Neva. She moved because she had developed dementia. Neva had a wonderful memory for silly rhymes and songs and would recite them often. Even though she didn’t remember all about her past she occasionally still blessed us with some of her silly rhymes till the end. She could also still play us a song or two on her harmonica. Some days she forgot just exactly who her daughters were, but she always knew they “belonged” to her. Neva was preceded in
Neva was preceded in death by her parents, her infant brother, James, two sisters, June and Verna, and her husband, Norman of 59 1/2 years.
She is survived by two sisters, Freda Smith and Shirley Heger of Columbus, IN, and one brother Harold Dicus, and his wife Lisa of Venice, FL. She is also survived by her four daughters: Gwen and Dayle Ferguson, Follett, Nancy and Jerry Shaner, Malakoff, Janice and Tommy Clevenger, Anton, and Ann and Bob Pearce, San Antonio; eight grandchildren, Marisa Born, Raelene Copeland, Jennifer Pool, Bryan Shaner, Beth Barbee Hubbert, Tommy Barbee, Kristen Pearce, and Robert Pearce; 12 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandson.
A family graveside service was held Dec. 4 at the Heart Cemetery, Booker.
Family request memorials in Neva’s honor be made to the church or charity of your choice. Arrangements were made by Scotty Schilling Funeral Director, Follett.