Beth Rane' Fries

Beth Rane Stockmeister Fries, age 57, of Beckett Ridge, West Chester, Ohio passed away on January 1, 2012.

She was born on April 23, 1954 in Chillicothe, Ohio as the youngest of four children to Bernadine and Arthur (A. J.) Stockmeister. She graduated in 1972 from Jackson High School in Jackson, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, older sister Dea Lee, maternal grandparents Mary Murphy and James Herbert Bennett and paternal grandparents John and Ida Stockmeister.

Beth is survived by her beloved husband of 31 years, George Richard Fries and devoted daughter, Dr. Natalie Jane Fries. Also surviving are her sisters Nea Henry, Janise (John) Jones, her brother Alan Arthur (Susan) Stockmeister, as well as many nieces and nephews. Beth earned her Bachelor of Science degree, as well as her Masters degree from the University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, Ohio. She was a dedicated educator, having taught for 34 ½ years all but one in first grade. Her tenure included both Jackson City School District (Jackson, Ohio) and Kings Local School District (Kings Mills, Ohio). She was a well respected educator who served on many curriculum committees including math, report card, literacy, and discipline, just to name a few. Beth also served on numerous textbook adoption committees. Beth was a recipient of many honors and teaching awards, including Warren County Project Excellence, Governors Tafts Reading Award, and Whos Who among American Educators. Beth was a member of the Kings Education Association and served many terms as a KEA Representative as well as liaison committee member at Kings Local School District. She assisted annually at J. F. Burns Family Reading Night from its inception. For many years Beth was also the coordinator for the J.F. Burns YES Program.

Her influence as an educator was far reaching. Beths rapport with young children and her expertise in motivating and educating them laid the successful foundation for hundreds of children. Beth inspired former students to become elementary teachers through the profound impact of the memorable, creative, and innovative experiences she provided in her first grade classroom.

Beth was a volunteer CCD teacher at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church where she was also a member.

Beth will be loved and missed by a multitude of friends of all ages.

Beths Memorial Mass will be at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 21, 2012 at St. John the Evangelist Church, West Chester, Ohio. Friends will be received 1 hour prior to the Memorial Mass at Church. A reception will immediately follow the Memorial Mass at the Cincinnati Marriott North, 6189 Mulhauser Road, West Chester, Ohio 45069.

Memorials may be sent to The Southern Hills Art Council, Markay Renovation, PO Box 149, Jackson, Ohio 45640 in loving memory of her mother Bernadine Stockmeister.