Obituary for JoAnn Fryrear (Williams)
On Thursday, August 11, 2022, JoAnn Williams Fryrear, age 85, passed from her earthly body into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and be present with the Lord". 2 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV)
JoAnn was born on April 27, 1937, to S. Willard Williams and Martha M. Williams, in Louisville, Kentucky. She was christened as an infant, confirmed into the faith at age 13, and immersed in baptism as an adult. She was a member of Southeast Christian Church for the last 37 years, taking multiple mission trips to Cuba, participating in Bible studies, volunteering as a Decision Guide and faithfully attending Sunday School class
until she became ill. Her faith was unwavering, even as she suffered the ravages of Parkinson's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia over the last few years.
JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Ralph T. Williams. She is survived by her sweetheart of 70 years (husband of 64 years), Ray Fryrear. She was a wonderful mother to Brent Fryrear (Elvin Leon); Beth Kinney (Kevin) and Lynn Bizianes (John). She was likewise a supportive and amazing Grandmother ("MO") to her Grandchildren; Jessica Sutter (Kyle); Shannon Kinney (Jake Franck); Lauren Roy
(Lucas); and Jordan Fryrear Leon, all of whom she adored. Her first Great Grandchild, Isaiah Roy, was born almost four months ago...She absolutely loved to hold Isaiah and sing to him.
We would like to especially thank Katie Summers and Rossan Smith, who became family while they loved and cared for JoAnn as her illness progressed over the last two years. We love you both so much, and will never forget the sweet, loving way you cared for her, and for us. There are so many others; nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends whom she loved. She never met a stranger; she took in strays for every holiday; and there always seemed to be a reason to throw a party. Birthdays, bridal and baby showers, holiday dinners, celebrating baptisms or graduations, and even for funeral pre-planning..JoAnn always figured out a way to make any event into a party.
In 1953, JoAnn opened her first Dance Studio, she remained an active teacher until March 2020. In her 70 years as a teacher, she taught not only dance, but also confidence, manners, and life lessons. She fostered a love of dance as an art, while also creating an environment of camaraderie, not competition. She loved and was loved in return by thousands of students and parents.
Visitation for JoAnn will be at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, KY 40205, on Sunday August 14th 2022, from 2-8pm and on Monday from 4-8p.m.
A Celebration of Life will be held 11:30am Tuesday August 16th at Highlands Funeral Home
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Hopeful Hearts Foundation, 12700 Townepark Way, Suite 329, Louisville, KY 40243 or to Hosparus Health, 6200 Dutchmans Lane, Louisville KY, 40205.
JoAnn was born on April 27, 1937, to S. Willard Williams and Martha M. Williams, in Louisville, Kentucky. She was christened as an infant, confirmed into the faith at age 13, and immersed in baptism as an adult. She was a member of Southeast Christian Church for the last 37 years, taking multiple mission trips to Cuba, participating in Bible studies, volunteering as a Decision Guide and faithfully attending Sunday School class
until she became ill. Her faith was unwavering, even as she suffered the ravages of Parkinson's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia over the last few years.
JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Ralph T. Williams. She is survived by her sweetheart of 70 years (husband of 64 years), Ray Fryrear. She was a wonderful mother to Brent Fryrear (Elvin Leon); Beth Kinney (Kevin) and Lynn Bizianes (John). She was likewise a supportive and amazing Grandmother ("MO") to her Grandchildren; Jessica Sutter (Kyle); Shannon Kinney (Jake Franck); Lauren Roy
(Lucas); and Jordan Fryrear Leon, all of whom she adored. Her first Great Grandchild, Isaiah Roy, was born almost four months ago...She absolutely loved to hold Isaiah and sing to him.
We would like to especially thank Katie Summers and Rossan Smith, who became family while they loved and cared for JoAnn as her illness progressed over the last two years. We love you both so much, and will never forget the sweet, loving way you cared for her, and for us. There are so many others; nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends whom she loved. She never met a stranger; she took in strays for every holiday; and there always seemed to be a reason to throw a party. Birthdays, bridal and baby showers, holiday dinners, celebrating baptisms or graduations, and even for funeral pre-planning..JoAnn always figured out a way to make any event into a party.
In 1953, JoAnn opened her first Dance Studio, she remained an active teacher until March 2020. In her 70 years as a teacher, she taught not only dance, but also confidence, manners, and life lessons. She fostered a love of dance as an art, while also creating an environment of camaraderie, not competition. She loved and was loved in return by thousands of students and parents.
Visitation for JoAnn will be at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, KY 40205, on Sunday August 14th 2022, from 2-8pm and on Monday from 4-8p.m.
A Celebration of Life will be held 11:30am Tuesday August 16th at Highlands Funeral Home
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Hopeful Hearts Foundation, 12700 Townepark Way, Suite 329, Louisville, KY 40243 or to Hosparus Health, 6200 Dutchmans Lane, Louisville KY, 40205.