Joanne “Darlene” Friye

Joanne “Darlene” Friye, 77, of Kansas City, Missouri, formerly of Philadelphia, Missouri, passed away at 6:54 p.m., Monday, February 5, 2024, at Seasons Memory Care in Kansas City, Missouri.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, February 15, 2024, at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, Missouri. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Palmyra, Missouri.

Friends and family are invited to Darlene’s Life Celebration at a visitation that will be held from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra, Missouri.

Darlene was born February 21, 1946, in Philadelphia, Missouri to Hiram and Dora Summers Jackson. She graduated from Marion County R-II High School in Philadelphia, Missouri in 1964 and later married Richard “Dick” Edward Friye on December 9, 1968, in Quincy, Illinois. He preceded her in death on March 7, 1996.

Other survivors include her daughter, Jami Pace (Chris) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; brother James “Jim” Jackson of Columbia, Missouri; sisters Jeanne Swanson (Bill) of Bulverde, Texas, and Shari Garrett (David) of Concord, North Carolina; granddaughter Julia Porter (Austin) of Blue Springs, Missouri; nephew Jeremy Garrett (Sheila) of Phenix City, Alabama; nieces Jill Swanson (Daniel Wilson) of Buda, Texas, Shawna Garrett of Charlotte, North Carolina, Heidi Garrett of N. San Juan, California and extended family.

Darlene was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Richard Friye. After Dick’s death, she went to work at Kroger’s in Hannibal, retiring in 2011 after 15 years of employment.

For more than 40 years, Darlene served our community as a Meals-on-Wheels volunteer for the local Senior Nutrition Center. She brightened the days of the homebound and local seniors. She loved spending those few minutes with each person, ensuring they knew someone cared enough to check on them and help meet their needs.

Darlene’s many talents included a flare for design, both interior and fashion. She loved contemporary furnishings and her home was beautifully appointed. She enjoyed entertaining, cooking and planning special meals for her family and friends.

For Darlene, learning was a life-long activity. She enjoyed reading history, poetry, art, and classic literature and curated an extensive collection of books and vinyl records. She was an avid music fan with a wide variety of favorites, including classical music, Jazz, country and soundtracks of the 60s and 70s.

Her quick wit and positive attitude on life was exemplified when she said, “You can’t keep a good woman down, at least not for long!” In difficult situations, she often said, “This too shall pass,” and “Sometimes, you just gotta’ laugh!”

Darlene loved fashion and dressed impeccably. She stayed active by walking two to eight miles almost daily. She loved living in the country and particularly loved trees, butterflies and leaves turning color in the fall. Darlene was a beautiful woman, with a loving and kind heart, serving her friends and family in any way she could to brighten their lives.

Pallbearers will be Jim Jackson, Chris Pace, Austin Porter, and Dean Saunders.

Memorial contributions may be made to your choice of the Alzheimer’s Association, Philadelphia Christian Church, or the Palmyra Senior Nutrition Center.

Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Jessica A. Rueter and Denny Drebenstedt.