Rex Ann Friess, 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at The Springs Memory Care Facility in San Angelo, Tx.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 23, at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Sonora, TX with Pastor Mark Brechin officiating. Graveside services will follow at the Sonora Cemetery , under the direction of Love Funeral Home.
Rex Ann was born December 19, 1940 in San Angelo, TX to Rex and Dorothy Baker. She attended Sonora Schools and upon graduation from Sonora High School, married Harold Turney Friess, August 12, 1958. She attended Texas Technological University for three years. They made their home on the Paul Turney ranch in Edwards County, and it was here that they raised Paula Ann and Clay Turney until they were of school age. She then worked as a secretary to the principal at the Sonora Elementary school so as to keep a close eye on Paula and Clay. Upon their graduation, she started working for the Sutton County Tax Appraisal office and eventually became the Chief Appraiser until she retired.
Rex Ann spent tireless hours driving kids to and from 4-H judging contests, countless hours helping with 4-H projects and working in concession stands for the 4-H club. She had a strong sense of civic duty to volunteer for the community and give back.
After retiring, she co-chaired the formation of the Old Ice House Museum project through the Sutton County Historical Society and was instrumental in getting many families to share their history in the displays at the Museum. Many an hour was spent making “Little Red Hats” for premature babies while volunteering at the Museum. In April of 2000 she was awarded the female Citizen of the Year.
She was a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church for many years.
She loved family and looked forward every year to the Jarvis Family Reunion on the Llano river near Junction. She loved to cook and feeding family was a joy, especially feeding her kids and grandkids. Working in the yard and growing the most beautiful bougainvilleas to make the neighbors jealous was also a favorite pastime. She always enjoyed having a small dog and usually a rat terrier. She enjoyed attending sporting and 4-H events that her kids and grandkids were involved in.
Family members are her son Clay Friess and daughter-in-law Joetta; grandchildren Owen and Molly Friess; and her daughter Paula Friess; brother Jack Baker and sister-in-law Jacque Baker; niece Wheless Baker and nephew Lewis aka Cedarberry Baker.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Dorothy Baker and father Rex Baker.
The family would like to the thank the staff at Concho Hearts Hospice and The Springs for the kind and loving care that they provided.
Memorials may be made to the Sonora Icehouse Museum at POB 885, Sonora, TX 76950 or Grand Companions POB 1156, Fort Davis, TX 79734. Visitation will be at Love Funeral Home Thursday and Friday from 9 am to 9 pm. If you are unable to attend the services in person and would like to attend on Facebook live, go to Sonora FUMC. Online condolences may be made at lovefuneralhome.net.
