Jean Lockhart Fry

Jean Priestley Lockhart Fry, age 77, of Camden, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2021 at Alive Hospice in Nashville.  

Jean was born August 19, 1944 to the late Ruth Priestley and Wyly Crawford Lockhart.  In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband William Elmer (Bill) Fry (2005).

She is survived by two daughters, Beth Anne Fry of Camden and Jill Fry Martindale and son-in-law Philip Martindale of Brentwood; three grandchildren, Ansley Grace, Olivia Yu, and Reese William Martindale; sister, Virginia Lockhart Whitworth and brother-in-law, Joe Whitworth of Camden; a niece, Susan Whitworth (David) Dulin of Nashville; two nephews, John Wyly (Vicki) Whitworth and Joe Steven (Suzanne) Whitworth of Camden; a great-niece, Hilary Dulin (Cody) Robinson of Brentwood; four great-nephews, Whit (Carla) Dulin of Scottsdale, AZ, Thomas (Carey) Whitworth of Nashville, Jesse (Haley) Kelly of Jackson, and Andy (Bryce) Travis of Camden; and her 10 great-great-niece and nephews.

Jean graduated from Camden Central High School in 1962, and from Memphis State University in May 1966.  She quickly became a University of Tennessee fan when she married an avid UT fan, Bill Fry, on Father's Day, June 19, 1966.  Jean began her teaching career by teaching 5^th grade for three years.  She then taught and was principal of the first Benton County Kindergarten at Eva until 1976 when it had grown from two teachers to five.

Jean and Bill welcomed two daughters into their family and remained active members of the First United Methodist Church in Camden.  Jean served as Coordinator of Children's Ministries, Vacation Bible School Director, Sunday School teacher, Methodist Youth Fellowship leader, and was an active member of the United Methodist Women.

For 38 years Jean donated her time and talents to the First United Methodist Women's Thrift Shop in Camden.  Her stated goal was to “reach out to those in need.”  Jean was a Charter Member and officer of Glovers Trace Daughters of the American Revolution, the Quota Club, a 4-H Volunteer, and a volunteer in Special Olympics, American Cancer Society, and the United Way.  

In recognition of her many years of service and generosity, Jean received the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Benton County Chamber of Commerce in 2015.

To honor Jean’s kindness, please do something nice for someone or make a donation to Camden First United Methodist Church, Lakeshore United Methodist Assembly, or the Benton County Library.

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, November 27, 2021 at 2 pm at First United Methodist Church in Camden, TN.                                   

Visitation with the family will be on Saturday, November 27, 2021 from 1:00-2:00 pm.