Frieda Larene Fletcher, 88, Ava, Missouri, passed away Saturday, April 23, 2005, in Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center, Ava. She was born June 9, 1916, in Silver City, Iowa, the daughter of William Acie and Minnie Bell (Miller) McGill. In January of 1939, she moved with her parents to a farm south of the Smallett community.
On November 9, 1940, she was united in marriage to Cecil Fletcher in Hartville, and to this union four children were born.
Frieda was a faithful and dedicated member of the First General Baptist Church of Ava, where she regularly attended since 1972.
For 50 years, she worked by her husband’s side with the dairy business, haying and caring for cattle and numerous other farming chores. She was very active in her community and a member of the Star Workers Extension Club for 56 years. She worked closely with the 4-H Club, the Extension personnel, and also the feeder pig and cattle sales. She was known for her skill in hand piecing fabric for quilts as well as quilting quilt tops. She enjoyed her large vegetable gardens and cooking for her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Cecil; an infant daughter Sharon; two brothers Cleo McGill and Claude “Buck” McGill; one sister Myrtle Shoney; and one daughter-in-law Judy Fletcher.
Frieda is survived by her three sons Carl Fletcher and wife Joan, of Bois D’Arc, Donald Fletcher and wife Paulette, of Fair Grove, and Billy Fletcher, of Ava; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and one additional great-grandchild expected soon; four great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Howard McGill and wife Billie Sue, of Ava; four sisters Sybil Haynes, of Springfield, Jean Daugherty, of Ava, Mary Jones and husband, Ora Lee, of Manitou, Okla., and Mabel Everett, of Ava; four sisters-in-law, Naomi McGill, of Catoosa, Okla., Novaleen Fletcher, of Springfield, Tracy Fletcher and Billy Mae McGill, both of Ava; two special friends Nadine Letsinger, of Mansfield, and Martha Stillings, of Ava; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were held at 12 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, in the First General Baptist Church of Ava, under the care and direction of Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ava, with Rev. Robert Roberts officiating. Mrs. Fletcher was laid to rest beside her husband, Cecil, in the Ava Cemetery. Visitation was held from 11 a.m. to service time in the church.
Memorial donations may be made to the First General Baptist Church Building Fund, C/O Barnes Family Funeral Home, PO Box 65, Ava, Missouri 65608.
