Breckenridge Texan

Frieda Jo Marsee Hamner passed away on Friday, October 29, 2021, in Eastland, Texas. Frieda was born October 25, 1937, to parents Joseph Grant Marsee and Janie Kerbo Marsee. She grew up in Breckenridge, Texas, the middle of three girls. Frieda graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1956. While in school, she met B.C., a tuba player in the high school band. Their relationship continued while she attended John Peter Smith School of Nursing and he was serving in the United States Navy. Many letters passed between the two as the relationship continued to grow. Frieda graduated nursing school as a Registered Nurse, a role she coveted. The couple married on May 25, 1959, and along with Frieda’s daughter, Karen, they made their way to Fort Worth, Texas.

Frieda worked at JPH but eventually transitioned across the street to St. Joseph Hospital, where you could find her sharing her love of nursing with everyone she met. She became the Director of the School Nursing Department and taught many students during that time to become wonderful nurses. B.C. and Frieda loved to travel and made many trips over the years to Las Vegas, The Bahamas, and California, but their favorite spot was Ruidoso, New Mexico. Along with Karen, they spent a week in Ruidoso every year for many years.

They also loved lake life and spent lots of weekends at Possum Kingdom Lake, where Frieda would drive the boat while B.C. skied. Many memories with family and friends were made there. Frieda continued to teach at St. Joseph, eventually retiring from nursing but continued in the medical field as a Utilization Review nurse until her health forced her to retire again. In recent years, Frieda resided at Lakewell Place in Mineral Wells and The Woodlands in Eastland.

Frieda was preceded in death by her parents; husband, B.C.; sister, Patsy Griggs; and grandson-in-law, Coby McNabb.

She is survived by her daughter, Karen Perry and husband George; granddaughters, Shannon Stoker and husband Slade, and Hailey Perry; grandson, Parker Perry and wife Rachelle; sister, Barbara Elliott and husband, Ted; great-grandchildren, Bailey Williams, Emily Williams, Evan Williams, Faith Perry, Jackson Perry, Codie Perry, Jaylen Harper, Chicago Harper, Malachi Harper, Aryn Stoker, and Abygail Stoker; several nieces and nephews; along with one special niece, Susan Shortes and her family.

Frieda’s graveside service at the Breckenridge Cemetery will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, with J.B. Sparks officiating. Frieda will be laid to rest beside her sister, Patsy. Pallbearers will be great-grandsons Evan, Jackson, Jaylen, Chicago, Malachi, and Aryn.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Frieda’s memory may be made to the Coby McNabb Scholarship Fund at Weatherford College or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home. Condolences can be made online at meltonkitchens.com.