Jeanette Frey

Jeanette Carol (Spring) Frey, 84, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2025 in Richmond, Virginia after an 8-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She maintained her sense of humor, compassion for others, appreciation of God’s beauty, and love for family, friends, and furbabies to the very end.

Jeanette was born in Coshocton, Ohio to Robert E. Spring and Winona M. (Reddick) Spring on September 1, 1940. She graduated from Covington High School in 1958, then married Jerry L. Frey in June, 1960. After the devastating loss of their infant daughter, Patty-Jo, and several miscarriages, they chose to adopt daughter Cheryl Christine, and son James Michael two years later. At the age of 42, she began attending Indiana State University to pursue Early Childhood Education. She earned her Bachelor’s degree and graduated Magna Cum Laude. In 1992 she felt compelled by God to attend seminary. Moving to Richmond, Virginia she studied at Union Theological Seminary, and earned her Masters of Divinity and Masters of Christian Education.

Jeanette was a lifelong lover of dogs and people. After Seminary, she dedicated her life to helping families in crisis with both their children and pets. In her spare time, she loved strolling through the grounds at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens located in the heart of Richmond. Jeanette delighted in watching children explore and discover the beauty of God’s creations. She also enjoyed going to various live concerts and visiting Busch Gardens Williamsburg with her daughter Cheryl and “other” daughter, Ona. While attending Seminary, she became known as the “Hat Lady” for her unique hat pins collected from places she had been, or that others had gifted her. She wore her hat as a conversation starter, and believed that a stranger was just a friend she hadn’t yet met. When asked, “How are you today?” she would always respond with a mischievous smile and say, “Mean as ever!” just to be different from everyone else. Her laugh was contagious, and she was well-known to some for her witch’s cackle. Jeanette was very independent, strong-willed, and opinionated, but at the same time, very compassionate, loving, and kind.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Winona, a half-brother Ronald Spring, her ex-husband Jerry Frey, daughter Patricia Joann “Patty Jo”, and son James “Jimmy”. She is survived by her daughter, Cheryl Chambers (Christy Frey), “other” daughter, Ona Fleming, sister Judith (Judy) Wallerich (Charles), brother Robert Spring, nephew Tony, nieces Brenda, Angela, Lora, Amy, and Joelle. She is also survived by grandchildren Jacob and Sarah Frey, along with numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

A Celebration of Life for Jeanette will take place at 2PM EST on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center’s Covington Chapel, 420 3rd Street, Covington, Indiana, 47932. Visitation will be from 1PM-2PM EST on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Jeanette’s name to one of the following: Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, Alzheimer’s Association, or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center’s Covington Chapel, 420, 3rd Street in Covington, Indiana, is honored to be caring for the family.

Please join the family in sharing memories, photos and videos on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.