Jessalee Fritts, age 88 of Garden City, Missouri formerly of Butler, Missouri died Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at Medicalodge of Butler. She was born January 14, 1935 to Wilbur William and Doris Estelle Woods in Butler.
Jessalee, the oldest of seven children, grew up in Butler, Missouri and lived a short time in Arizona due to Wilbur’s health, then returned to Butler. She was in 4-H, assisted her mom prepare meals for those farming and helped watch her siblings. In December of 1952 she married John “Oren” Fritts and to this union, three daughters were born. Jessalee was a homemaker except for the short time she worked at the pecan plant while Oren was on strike at General Motors.
Jessalee was great at pie making and homemade bread. She always had the best flower gardens. Jessalee enjoyed square dancing with Oren, antiquing, going to garage sales in the city and sewing. She loved traveling, especially her trips to Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
Jessalee is survived by three daughters, Barbara Campbell of Springfield, Missouri, Rita Umstattd and husband Doug of Garden City, Missouri and Linda Phillips of Butler, Missouri; 7 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and her siblings, Larry, Jerry, Sharon and Richard. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Oren Fritts; and siblings, Gene and John.
