Ruth Ann Chilton Frye, 83, of Vass, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family after a courageous journey through dementia.
Born April 11, 1943, in Reidsville, North Carolina, Ruth Ann was the daughter of the late Charlie Andrew Chilton, Sr. and Annie Sue Wilson Chilton. After graduating from Reidsville High School and Elon College, she moved to Moore County in 1965 to begin her teaching career with Moore County Schools.
While living in a garage apartment behind the home of Frederick and Aileen Taylor in Vass, Ruth Ann met Joseph Franklin Frye, the man who would become her husband and the love of her life. Family members fondly remembered Joe saying after first seeing her at the bank where she worked during summers, “I’m going to marry that girl.” The couple married on June 18, 1967, and shared nearly 56 years together until Joe’s passing in 2023.
Ruth Ann dedicated 32 years to Moore County Schools, spending most of her career teaching fourth grade at Vass-Lakeview Elementary School. Generations of students knew and loved her as “Mrs. Frye.” A faithful member of First Baptist Church of Vass for many decades, she loved her church, family, and community deeply.
To know Ruth Ann was to know Southern hospitality. Her home was always warm and welcoming, filled with home-cooked meals, laughter, and love. She especially enjoyed gardening beside her husband and preserving the harvest each summer, carefully choosing the “pretty ears” of corn to freeze on the cob for family meals to come.
Later in life, nothing brought Ruth Ann greater joy than becoming “Grammy” to Lauren Brooks Stroder. From the moment she heard Lauren’s first cry in the delivery room, she was completely in love.
Ruth Ann was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph Franklin Frye; her parents; and an infant daughter.
She is survived by her daughter, Susan Frye Stroder; granddaughter, Lauren Brooks Stroder; brother, Charlie Andrew “Andy” Chilton, Jr. and wife Mary Ellen; along with nieces, nephews, former students, church friends, neighbors, and many loved ones whose lives were touched by her kindness and love.
Though dementia slowly took many of her memories, it never erased the legacy she built through a life of faith, family, teaching, and love.
Condolences may be sent to www.coxmemorialfuneralhome.com.
The family has entrusted services to Cox Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory of Vass.
