Nancy Lee (Fight) Fryer

Nancy Lee Fryer was born in El Paso, Texas in 1931. She was the second to the youngest of six children. Her family moved to Warrensburg, Missouri in the 1940s. Their home address was "End O' Gay" Street since the road dead-ended at their house. In the 1960s, the city took the property in a condemnation action and built a high school.

Nancy attended Central Missouri State College, which is now a university. She obtain an education degree, married, and ultimately became a teacher at Grandview High School, and later, at Center High School. While teaching in the 1960s, she earned her Masters in Business Administration at CMSU.

She taught English, typing, shorthand, dictation, and office occupations. During that time, Nancy also worked at the Center School District Credit Union and Hallmark Cards where she taught writing courses. Later, Nancy left teaching and worked full-time at various credit unions before taking a job at the Internal Revenue Service. She taught and developed curriculum for training programs that won her numerous awards.

She was the last living sibling of the Fight family. Nancy was preceded in death by her father Flavius Josephus Fight, her mother Thelma Blanche Fight, Sisters Estelle Fight, Betty Casebolt, Dorothy Richards, and Brothers R.W. Fight, and Simon Fight. Her eldest son Michael Lee Fryer also preceded her demise.

Nancy is survived by her son Patrick Fryer. Grandchildren include Jeanna Fryer, Emily Marie (Fryer) Osborn, David Fryer, Matthew Fryer, and Lucas Fryer. Great grandchildren include: Josyln Woodson, Olivia Fryer, Gavin Henderson, Bryson Fryer, Grant Fryer, Millee Jo Fryer, Ella Marie Osborn, Joshua Landon Osborn, and Evie Jo Osborn.

This does not fully describe my mother. She was a driving force. She obtained a college and master's degree when women typically did not even attend college. As a divorced mother with two children, she worked tirelessly to make sure that she could provide for our needs. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren with all her heart. She was known as "Mammam" to some of her grandchildren. To other grandchildren she was called "Mammo". To some of her great grandchildren, she was simply called "Mo". She was always there to help her family in difficult times and welcomed family that needed a place to stay. Her candor, mixed with humor, was inspirational.

She became wheelchair bound, and later, bedridden towards the end of her life. While she may not have been able to get out of bed, her mind remained sharp as a tack. Nancy was able to live in her house until her demise thanks to her family, and the incredible assistance of St. Croix Hospice. I will forever be in debt to Amy, Brie, Chaplain Brian, Mary, Celina, and the others at St. Croix.