Karrie Joanna Fries

Karrie Fries, beloved wife and mother, passed away unexpectedly on March 28, 2021 in Twinsburg, Ohio. Karrie was born December 16, 1988, in Hollywood, Florida. She eventually moved to Crestview in 2002, graduating high school and college from Okaloosa-Walton Community College in 2007 and then the University of Florida in 2010. Karrie and husband Justin called many places home during their nearly 14 years together and 10 years of marriage, including Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Illinois, North Carolina, and Ohio, making lifelong friends along the way. After the birth of their son in 2015, Karrie became active in local Fit4Mom tribes in Schaumburg, Greensboro, Destin, and Twinsburg, eventually becoming a fitness instructor to support other mothers.

Though life with a young son and traveling husband kept her busy, Karrie enjoyed gardening, crafts, baking, and exercising in her free time. In fact, the 400 bulbs she planted this past fall are a colorful reminder of the love she had for creating beauty from the soil. Karrie had an eye for beauty in other places as well, with an especially good eye for finishing touches in the remodeling and decorating projects she and Justin undertook. She also looked for the beauty in others. She was quick to share kind words, offer meals to new moms, and gave gifts freely, especially to support other mothers. Being a mom to Wallace was Karrie’s proudest accomplishment in life, and she dedicated much of herself to his care and advocacy. Generosity was one of her defining characteristics, and her final gift, per her wishes, was multiple organ donations.

Karrie leaves behind her husband of nearly 10 years, Justin Townley, and their 5 year old son Wallace; father Daniel and step-mother Kathy Fries; mother Michelle and step-father Jeff Whitlock; brothers Justin Fries, Jeffrey Whitlock, and Joey Whitlock; sisters Britney (Matt) Burns and Kyleigh (Nick) Hensley; grandparents Allie and Daniel Fries and Barbara Rush; along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and other extended family who will miss her greatly.

A remembrance service for Karrie will be held at Emerald Coast Funeral Home at 10 A.M. on Saturday, April 17th. A private graveside service at Glendale Memorial Nature Preserve will be held at a later date. In lieu of cut flowers, please plant wildflowers, gardens, and flowers in Karrie’s memory and, when they have grown, share photos with the family.

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