Vida Frizzell

Vida Frizzell was born December 22, 1933 in Jackson County, TN and she passed away on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at NHC of Cookeville, TN at the age of 90.

Vida was the daughter of Raymond Way and Addie Howard Bowman Way. Vida was born and raised in the Dudney Hill community and resided there all of her life. She went to school there as a child and attended the Dudney Hill Church of Christ where she was an active member over 70 years. She loved the church and was in service there until sickness kept her from service and attendance. Her faith in God was great as evidenced by the way she lived her life especially as her health declined.

Vida’s sense of community and friendship was great as was recognized by others as she was affectionately dubbed, “ the Mayor of Dudney’s Hill”. She was loved by many and was always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need or sick by cooking a meal or doing some other act of kindness.

Hard work was not something she was afraid of. She kept a spotless home, raised two children, cooked, canned and did all the tiresome duties a wife and mother was expected to do while working outside the home. Vida worked for over 30 years at Heavy Duty Mfg. Co until it closed and then went to work as a cafeteria worker at Gainesboro Elementary and Fox Middle Schools until she was forced to retire to take care of her sick husband which she did without regret because taking care of family was the biggest joy of her life. She taught us a lot about strength and perseverance.

Vida was a simple woman without pomp and circumstance. She was a peacekeeper; she was a helper; she was always the same every time you saw her. Most of all she was a Christian and was adored by her family, friends and anyone who crossed her path. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Gilbert Dick Frizzell who passed away on October 23, 1998; brothers: Hollis Way and Howard Way; and sister, Emogene Goolsby.

Survivors include her son, Steve (Janey) Frizzell of Gainesboro; daughter, Joan (Butch) Witcher;  of Kimball, TN; brother, Paul (Beverly) Way of Mt. Juliet, TN; and sister, Ruth (Troy) Jones of Gainesboro, TN; grandchildren: Charles (April) Smith, Chris (Theresa Maynard) Frizzell, Ashley (Archie) Custer, Brandon Witcher; great grandchildren: Austin Kirby, Mason Smith, Ethan Smith, and Trace Custer; bonus grandchildren Russell and Carson.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2024, 4-8 pm in the chapel of Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home in Gainesboro, TN and again on Friday, August 2, 2024, from 12 pm till 3 pm at Dudney Hill Church of Christ in Gainesboro, TN. Funeral services will be conducted at 3 pm at the church with Brothers: Lakelan Barham, Jimmy Anderson, and Mark Houser officiating. Burial will follow in Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro, TN.

Pallbearers will be Chris Frizzell, Charles Smith, Mason Smith, Ethan Smith, Archie Custer, Trace Custer and Oliver Lynch.

Memorial donations may be made to Pharris Cemetery in Gainesboro, TN by contacting the funeral home.

Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. 931-268-1550