Constance "Buddie" Fry

KINGSPORT- Constance “Buddie” Fry, 90, of Kingsport, TN passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2024 in the hospital in Nashville, TN. Born on August 26,1933 to Chester B. and Georgia Eugenia Daniel Dykes, Buddie lived most of her life in Kingsport, TN apart from her traveling years to Alaska and military homes across the world. She graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School in 1951 and graduated from Carson-Newman College in 1955 where she went on to begin her over 30-year teaching career. She received her Master’s in teaching from Union College as well. She retired from teaching in 1993 while at Sullivan North High School. 

Buddie loved teaching, fishing, cooking, reading, painting, making crafts and traveling. She travelled to Alaska as a single woman in the 1960s where she lived, taught the Native Eskimos, survived an earthquake and found the love of her life Ronald Fry where they married in 1969.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Jean Dykes; husband, Ronald Eugene Fry, Sr.; sisters, Barbara Jean Donald and Diana M. Clark; and brother-in law, Larry Dale Donald.

Buddie is survived by her son Ronald Eugene Fry, Jr. of Orlando, FL and daughter,  Dr. Bonnie Randolph and husband, Dr. Patrick Randolph of Franklin, TN; grandchildren Chloe, Tobias and Elijah Randolph of Franklin, TN; brother-in-law Gary Clark of Kingsport; and several nieces and nephews. 

The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 27, 2024 from 1:00 – 3:00p.m. at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home, Kingsport.

A private graveside will be held at a later date.