Mrs. Valentina Fry

February 14, 1956 - March 17, 2019

****NOTE: VISITATION & FUNERAL SERVICE LOCATION LISTED BELOW*** Unmistakable beauty and dynamic personality came together on a cold winter day in February 1956. It was on this day, Valentine’s Day, when God saw fit to introduce Valentina Fry to a warm and loving family. Valentina was born to Parents Roy and Queen Fry. The day she was born, she shared headlines in the Kalamazoo Gazette with news about former President Dwight Eisenhower, the expansion of Social Security, NASA’s establishment, the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, the Great Hall of Fame baseball player Willie Mays, and the Howdy Doody Show. Growing up, Valentina was affectionately known as "Tina", "Val", or "Tina Wieners", the name her big sister gave her. Throughout her childhood, Tina’s personality grew in sync with her love for life. Many would say that she has always been frank, and that she embodied the phrase “what you see is what you get.” Tina owned anything she did and spoke her mind with confidence and ease. Always a "Daddy’s Girl", in her father’s sight, she could do nothing wrong. Tina loved to play softball and often travelled the country to play and watch softball tournaments. She played the positions of outfielder and short-stop. Tina was a champion both on the field, and in life. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and playing Bingo. Tina’s love for children guided her toward a career in teaching. She began a teaching career with Kalamazoo Country Head Start. She poured all that she had into the children she taught and provided them with a loving yet disciplined space to learn and grow. She was truly passionate about helping children realize their potential. After 30 years of service, Tina retired in December 2012. Tina was strong in her faith, her suffering, and her love for others. She showed her family how to endure through the best and worst moments in life. Tina would often say “it is what it is, and God is in control.” Tina received the Holy Spirit under the leadership of the late Superintendent Lavern Smith of St. James COGIC in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Tina was preceded in death by her parents; her grandson Daniel Reynolds Jr., and three brothers: Allen Hollin, Donald Fry and William Hollin. She is survived by her children, Daniel Reynolds (Atleaner) and Jonathan Gates (Cinnamon); special daughters Vernella Hanson and Charlese Robinson; her eight grandchildren: Harold Simpson III, Danielle Reynolds, Amiere Reynolds, Dezmond Reynolds, Kayden Gates, Serenity Cleveland, Dere’ona Young, and Derek Young Jr.; siblings: Arthur (Margaret) Fry, Dianne (Arthur) Anderson, Carol (Mayweather) Smith, Johnnie (Marie) Hollin, Royetta Walker, Barry (Janet) Fry, and Carol Fry; sister-in-law Lorraine Hollin; sisters-in-law Elanor Walker and Santos Cockrell; three aunts Faye Fry, Jean Jones, and Lisa Jones; special cousin Gaither Wimbley-Cross; very special people: Patricia Parker, Jean Trotman, Hannah Nichols, Rhonda Little, Katherine Haley, Wendy Fields, Claudia Smith, Theresa Hubbard, and Robin McCants; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. We would like to extend a special thanks to Daniel Reynolds, Carol Fry, Joyce Fry, Barbara Moore, Daryl Ollie, and John Gamble for excellent caregiving.