Shirley Runyon Fry

Shirley Runyon Fry was called to be with her Lord and savior March 25, 2026.
She passed peacefully, with her daughter by her side, in Watauga, TX.
Shirley was born on April 26, 1938, in Mayking, KY to parents Dillard and Flora Runyon of Williamsburg, KY.
Shirley went to school in Williamsburg, KY and graduated in 1956. Soon after graduation she moved to Piqua, OH where she met the love of her life, Tom Macy Fry. After they were married, they moved to Englewood, OH where they raised two children, Donald Fry and Sherri (Fry) Learmonth. Shirley and Tom both were very active in their children’s sports and cheerleading.
Shirley became the Office Manager of a large pediatric group in Dayton, OH and talked about that career frequently.
After retirement they moved to Goosecreek, SC to be close to Shirley’s brother and his wife, Ralph and Lois Runyon.
Shirley was a devout Christian, who loved the Lord with all her heart. She was never pushy with her beliefs but would share the message of Jesus when she could. She let her life serve as a quiet and powerful example for all to see.
Shirley and Tom were also founding members of what is now called, Metro North PCA church in Goosecreek, SC. She also strongly supported Dr. Charles Stanley’s church in Atlanta, GA and several others.
Some fun things people may not know about Shirley (excluding family) was her love for makeup. From playing with her mother’s AVON cosmetics as a little girl, she turned that passion into a daytime TV show in Dayton, Ohio, where she delighted in doing makeovers on women.
If you ever knocked on Shirley’s front door and didn’t get an answer, it was most likely because she didn’t have her “face” on.
Shirley also loved writing, drawing, music, dancing, and truly loved movies. Her idea of a day trip was going to the movie theatre. And if she couldn’t get to a theatre, she’d watch old westerns on television.
Most of all she enjoyed what she called her ‘pretty things’. These could be a trinket someone gave her, an item from her past, her collections, or a simple nic nac from a friend.
She loved all of her family and friends deeply and was always amazed how the Lord had blessed a little girl from Appalachia.
Survived by: Donald Fry, son (Lynette) York, SC, Sherri Fry Learmonth; daughter, (David) Southlake, TX; Ralph Runyon, brother (Lois) Goosecreek, SC
Surviving grandchildren, Lexis Learmonth Blackburn (Tyler); great-grandchildren, Brayden and Thomas Blackburn of Bixby, OK; grandson, Jack Learmonth of Oklahoma City, OK, William Coan (Crystal) of Morganton, NC, Samantha Coan Rase (Logan) of Waxhaw, NC; great-grandchildren, Wells and Julietta Coan, Fisher Rase; and nieces, nephew, and cousins.
Proceeded in death by her parents, Dillard and Flora Runyon; her husband, Tom Fry; her brother, Bob Runyon and his wife Geneva; and her grandson, Jon Fry; and also, many uncles, aunts, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Shirley’s name, to the Alzheimer’s Association. (on the web at https://alz.org)
The family will receive friends, Friday, April 3 at 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, at the Holiday Inn Express in Williamsburg, KY.
Family viewing will be held at Croley Funeral Home Chapel Saturday, April 4 from 9:30 AM to 10 AM, a public viewing will be held from 10 AM to 11 AM, with the funeral service following. The service will be officiated by James Hodge with burial at Highland Park Cemetery,
Arrangements are in the care of Croley Funeral Home, Williamsburg, KY.