Evelyn Mae (Barber) Frye

Evelyn M. Barber-Frye was born on October 30, 1938 to the late George and Annie Mable Pike-Barber in Brinkley, Arkansas. She departed this life on March 23, 2021 surrounded by her beloved daughters, grandchildren, and family at Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

She confessed her hope in Christ and gave her life to Him at an early age. She was baptized as a young girl at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Roe, Arkansas. As an adult, she later joined First Missionary Baptist Church in Stuttgart, Arkansas, under the leadership of the late Reverend D.L. O’Neal. After moving to Pine Bluff, Arkansas, she joined St. James United Methodist Church until her health began to fail.

Evelyn was a graduate of Clarendon High School, Class of 1958. Upon completion, she moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where she attended a local beauty school and became a licensed cosmetologist. She returned to Stuttgart and worked at SuperX Drug Store, then Farmers & Merchants Bank. After retirement, she worked at the Pine Bluff Dialysis Center and later became a caregiver for many people. Her life’s passion was always caring for others. Evelyn never met a stranger. She always showed kindness and grace to everyone she encountered.

She was preceded in death by her parents George and A. Mable Barber, one sister Gracie Barber, two brothers Earnett Barber and Charlie John Barber, and one granddaughter Mekisha D. Sims.

Evelyn leaves to cherish her memories her husband Charles Frye of Stuttgart, AR; four daughters Tammie Barber Frye and Charlene (James) Bradley, both of Stuttgart, AR, Karen (Maurice) Watson of Douglasville, GA, and Shelia Frye of Pine Bluff, AR; three grandsons R. Rashad Sims (special grandson/son) of Stuttgart, AR, Devante Stigger of Little Rock, AR and Alexander Watkins, Jr. of Pine Bluff, AR; two granddaughters Mariah Washington of Benton, AR and Autumn Molina of Maumelle, AR; nine great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; two sisters Iola Hardman of Chicago, IL and Mary (Robert) Walker of Stuttgart, AR; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Evelyn Mae (Barber) Frye, please visit our floral store.