Laura C. Fralix

LAURA C. FRALIX, age 98 of Dandridge passed away Thursday, August 14, 2014 at the Jefferson Co. Nursing Home. Preceded in death by her parents, Newton and Lou Carathers; husband of 61 years, Burl W. Fralix; son, Ralph Fralix; daughter-in-law, Peggy Fralix; great granddaughter, Charlene Thompkins; great-great grandson, Hunter Benton. She was a faithful member of the Piedmont Baptist Church. As a young woman and wife, Mrs. Fralix worked for a short time at the Johnson’s Spring Company in Jefferson City as well as Kress’s Department Store in Knoxville. But she spent the greatest amount of her life as a wife, homemaker, and working alongside her husband while raising four children. Mrs. Fralix loved her family and made a point to love them unconditionally. Everyone was welcome in her home and at her table. When she cooked, she had plenty of food for everyone. No one left her table hungry. As she talked with her family, her conversation would always include how important it was to know Jesus and to be involved in his work in “Church”. Many times after a long day working, she would sit down with her Bible in her lap resting her body and her soul. Mrs. Fralix accepted Christ as her Savior as a sixteen year old girl and walked in that faith daily. She was an active member of Piedmont Baptist Church (PBC) for over fifty years teaching in Sunday School, Bible School, working in the nursery and even leading the music for a period of time. (Prior to joining PBC she was a member of Bell Avenue Baptist now called Chilhowee Hills Baptist Church). But learning and participating in “Missions” gave her the most pleasure. She loved her work in the WMU (Women’s Missionary Union) studying about missionaries and their work for Christ at home and in foreign lands. She participated in many mission activities within the Piedmont Community. She established the “Share Your Love” luncheon in February where the PBC continues to invite the whole community in for a love meal. At the age of eighty she traveled out of the country to visit the country of Yemen. Mrs. Fralix is survived by her daughters, Elaine and Eileen Fralix of Dandridge and son Robert Fralix of Apple Valley, CA; grandsons, Danny Mitchell of Seymour, Darren Weldon of Vancouver, WA and grand-daughters, Debra Ribblitt (Jace) of Seymour, Paula Cromwell (Mark) of Maumee, OH, and Barbara Young of Santa Monaca, CA; daughter-in-law, Margaret Fralix (Ralph) of Rock Hill, SC; granddaughters, Karen Allred (Dean) of Burlington, NC, Sharon Faulkenberry (Bill) of Rock Hill, SC, Kathy Thompkins (Charley) of Heningway, SC, Sandra Miller and Lisa Jones (David) of Rock Hill, SC. Great-Grandchildren, Danny “Boy”, Michael, Marisa and Macy Mitchell, Amy Julian (Shawn), Zachery and Shelby Ribblitt, Megan and Matthew Simpson, Amanda and Ashley Faulkenberry, Carmen Benton, Savannah and Cody Jones; Great great grandchildren, Morgan and Dillon Simpson, Hannah Benton and Victoria Mitchell. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00pm, Friday, August 22, 2014 followed by the funeral service to celebrate Mrs. Fralix’s life at 7:00pm at the Piedmont Baptist Church with the Rev. Bob Neal officiating. Interment graveside services will be Saturday, 11:00am at Hillcrest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Benevolence Fund of Piedmont Baptist Church, East Tennessee Children's Home, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, or Samaritan's Purse. ARRANGEMENTS BY FARRAR FUNERAL HOME, DANDRIDGE