On January 2nd, 1935, in the small rural Western Kansas town of Oakley, Noe (later changed to Noah) and Eulalia (Wolfe) Frazier welcomed their third child and second daughter into the family. They named this little dark-haired girl Beverly June (her dad liked to call her “Bevy June”
Despite being born during the Great Depression and the infamous Dust Bowl Era, Beverly grew up happy. Except for a year in Klamath Falls OR, the family lived all of Beverly’s pre-adult life in Oakley. She was involved in countless community, church and school activities and was Valedictorian of her Oakley High School graduation class. “Bev” as she became known, attended Cottey College in Nevada MO for a year, then Washburn University in Topeka KS for a semester.
While Bev was going to college, her parents moved from Oakley to Hays KS where they owned and operated a motel. She helped her parents by working at the motel the summer of 1954; and she met Roger Faubion that August. While it wasn’t quite love at first sight, it was close: they were married 7 months later on March 5, 1955. To this union were born 3 sons, one died in infancy.
During the next several years the family lived in Hays plus other Kansas towns of Hill City, Goodland and Larned where Roger oversaw large construction projects. When the boys started school, Mom stayed in Hays with them while Dad commuted from wherever his job location took him.
These stay-at-home years gave Bev the opportunity to work for the local Radio/TV station KAYS, at a variety of jobs. Her most memorable jobs there were as host of “Bev’s Party Line” and “Women’s Page” (daily weekday radio programs). Bev was very active in Hays and surrounding community functions: MC for fashions shows; on judging panels for various area competitions; a participant in local talent productions; President of the Lincoln Elementary School PTA; a Director on the State Board of the Kansas Women’s Bowling Association; in charge of the girls summer slow-pitch softball program in Hays; a slow-pitch umpire; and an active member of many other clubs and organizations.
In 1973, the family moved to Arizona. It wasn’t long before Bev decided to get back in the outside work force. She started as a Kelly Girl Temp which led to a permanent position with the Arizona Department of Public Safely eventually as a Supervisor in the CIS Division. After the boys were out of high school and in college, Bev quit her job to go along with Roger when he was sent out of town on construction projects. They enjoyed living in several Arizona cities and towns, plus a year in Albuquerque NM, making many close and lasting friendships along the way.
This ‘vagabond era’ ended in 1989 when Roger and Bev settled in Scottsdale AZ. While there, Bev once again went back to work, this time with Rural/Metro Corporation (fire and ambulance with nationwide operations). She had progressed to the position of Executive Assistant in the Finance Department when she retired in 2000. In the meantime, Roger had established his own business and Bev managed those office duties as well. When Roger retired in 2002, they moved to Solera, an active adult community in Chandler AZ.
At the age of 71 (2006), Bev’s right leg was amputated above the knee. It was a bit of a set-back, or course, but Bev took it all in stride (pun intended) and never let it get her down: she maintained a positive attitude along with her signature love of life. She even named her stump LTH (Less Than Half), her prosthesis Lena (get it?) and her walker Nessy (short for Necessary). Also, hand controls were installed on the car so she could continue to drive (you go girl!).
Bev passed away peacefully in her sleep, on October 27th, 2020. She was at her home with her loved ones. She was 85 years young. She chose to do a full-body donation to scientific research, followed by cremation. There will be no funeral nor memorial service; a Celebration of Life may be held later. In lieu of flowers, Bev requested that any gesture of remembrance be given to your favorite charity in her name – with special thanks and heartfelt appreciation from Bev and her family.
Bev was preceded in death by her husband Roger (2011), their son Brad (2018), their infant son Ralph David (1957), her parents, her brother, two sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law.
Survivors include her cherished family of son Chuck (Gwen) of Sun City AZ, daughter-in-law Jan of Gilbert AZ; sister Dorothy “Dee” Petree of Littleton CO; sister-in-law Sue Faubion of Denver CO; 5 grandchildren: Faith Lochmann of Hays KS, Melissa (Kris) Heddings of Glendale AZ, Marcus (Ashley) Faubion of Cave Creek AZ, Erin (David) Price of Tucson AZ and Matt (Amanda) Faubion of Gilbert AZ; 1 step-granddaughter Tara Fair Smith (Gerald) of Phoenix AZ; 3 great-grandsons: Samuel Heddings, Tristan Faubion and Owen Price; 1 great-granddaughter Jordan Faubion; 1 adopted great-granddaughter Hannah Baxter; 5 step-great-grandchildren: K. J., Jocelyn and Kade Heddings, Austin Sloan and Zaden Collins; 1 step-great-great grandson Kace James Heddings; 1 adopted great-great granddaughter; Indigo Dietz; several nieces, nephews and many extended family members.
Bev served & impacted countless people during her lifetime with fun and an ever-present positive attitude. Especially her loved ones. She is dearly missed and will never be forgotten.