Joyce Marie Fry, 81, of Crawfordsville passed into the presence of the Lord on Friday, July 12, 2019.
Joyce was born March 14, 1938, at Mahorney Family Farms Homestead near Ladoga, to Carl and Lucile Moore. She grew up amid the family businesses of Moore’s Apple Orchard, Fresh Cider Mill and The Cider Sip Restaurant at Raccoon on U.S. 231 South along with Moore’s Strawberry/Raspberry Patches and Evergreen Nursery in Crawfordsville.
She began piano studies at age 5 with Zenia Marks of Ladoga who remained her teacher until her college years. During her freshman year, she attended the composer, Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians Youth Music Workshop. During her sophomore year, she received the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Award being invited to play piano with the Orchestra at the Symphony Reception. Through her junior and senior years, her music studies broadened to include organ techniques with Loretta Martin at Wilkins Studios in Indianapolis where she was a guest organist on the radio station, WISH. She performed piano, organ and voice religious music programs over radio station, WBBS in Crawfordsville, being broadcast from First Baptist Church. She played oboe, flute and glockenspiel in band and marched as a member of the color guard. She was a pianist for concert choir and organist for high school convocations. She also was pianist/organist for the Order of Rainbow for Girls at the Masonic Temple. Joyce attended numerous Indiana University Voice Clinics. Upon graduation in 1956, she received the first-annual Outstanding Musician Award given by the Crawfordsville Music Club. Joyce earned her bachelor’s degree in music education, choral ministry, piano/organ performance and art education from Manchester University and received her master of music degree from DePauw University.
Joyce married Joseph Frederick Fry of Whitesville on July 17, 1960.
Joyce was the minister of music at First Baptist Church, Crawfordsville for 47 years, developing 10 choirs for all ages which included, three children’s choirs, New Life Singers, The Carpenter’s Tools, Chancel Choir, Bells of Joy, ladies/men’s vocal ensembles and Gathered by Him Vocal Ensemble. Her years at First Baptist Church were her most treasured years that fulfilled her commitment of witness to share her faith and talents. Her legacy will carry on through all those she touched.
Preceding Joyce in death was husband Joe in February 1994; father Carl in February 2012; and mother Lucile in February 2017.
She is survived by her three children, Jeffrey (Heidi) Fry, Janelle McClure and Julia Fry; five grandchildren, Joshua, Kyle (Bertie), Amanda, Hannah and James; and two great-grandchildren, Jackson and Madelyn.
Open visitation with family and friends will be held 4-7 p.m. Saturday, July 20 at First Baptist Church, 1905 Lebanon Road, Crawfordsville. The funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 21 at the church, with a private family burial service to follow.
In lieu of flowers, Joyce wishes you to show compassion and kindness with others as a touching witness of God’s love. Sanders Priebe Funeral Care is assisting the family with arrangements.
Share memories and condolences online at www.sandersfuneralcare.com.
