Virginia Headrick Frye passed away on September 30, 2026, at The Nursing Center at Little Creek. She was eighty-eight.

Virginia was born in Wears Valley, Tennessee to Luke and Lena Headrick. She graduated as class valedictorian from Townsend High. Subsequently, she attended the University of Tennessee, where she was awarded numerous scholarships and earned a Masters and Doctorate in Education. She carried out three years of postdoctoral professional experience at Lakeshore Mental Health Institute and the University of Tennessee Hospital Developmental and Geriatric Center, where she served as Director of Psychological Services. In 1977, she co-authored Making it Til Friday: A Guide to Successful Classroom Management, which was published by Princeton Book Company and went through several editions.

Virginia met her husband, Otha Gene Frye, while in college. She remained devoted to him throughout their 62-year marriage. She and Gene had two children, Amy and David and three grandchildren, Ben, Carissa and Patrick, and two great-grandchildren, Alex and Asher.

Virginia was known for being quick to laugh and highly intelligent. She maintained a lively interest in a wide variety of subjects. She was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where she sang in the choice for over fifty years. She enjoyed the friendship of work colleagues, fellow parishioners and above all, family.

Virginia is predeceased by her parents, Luke and Lena Headrick; sisters, Helen Johnson and Lois Luebke; and husband Ortha Gene Frye. She is survived by her children, Amy Grubb and David Frye; son-in-law John Grubb; daughter-in-law Noelle Frye; grandchildren Ben Frye, Carissa Jones and Patrick Frye; their spouses, Roxanne Frye, Chris Jones and Laura Frye; and her great-grandchildren, Alex Frye and Asher Frye.

The family will receive friends from 9:30-10:30am on Saturday, November 7 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Maryville. A celebration of life will be held at 10:30am at the church with Rev. Rick Ohseik officiating.