Frieda Mae Aday

Frieda Mae Aday, age 89, of Battlefield, passed away Monday, December 23, 2019. She was born July 10, 1930 in Sparta, the second daughter of Charles Emory and Ortha (Nelson) Shortt. Frieda grew up in the Highlonesome area alongside her 6 other siblings and talked often of the long walk with the water buckets to the house and how her dad made her a resting spot at the halfway mark. This is also where she met the love of her life Kenneth Aday. She graduated high school in Ava and chose to go on to the State Teachers college (now MSU) where she earned her teaching certificate and then began teaching at a local one room school house. Kenneth and Frieda were married on December 25, 1949. They found themselves blessed with two beautiful children, Connie and Steve. They moved about a bit but ended up settling down for quite a while in California where they proceeded to make a life and raise their children. Frieda loved California and enjoyed talking about her job there at a state college as a librarian. She met some of her best and life-long friends there and learned how to drive. She talked often of how beautiful it was with mountains in the distance and orange trees in the backyard. About 1969 Frieda and Kenneth decided it was time to move back to Missouri so with the help of Charles Emory they purchased some land and built their own home in Battlefield. In that home Frieda helped raise grandkids and great-grandkids alike. Always one for learning she also found herself taking painting and cake decorating classes which she then used to create so many beautiful scenes as well as memories. She could often be found in her studio with one of her grandkids teaching them to paint or in the kitchen letting them help her with her cooking and baking…she was always a teacher and willing to teach them anything their curious little minds would allow. She loved her family, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her home and arms were always open for them. She has gifted her family with a legacy of unconditional love. She was generous of spirit and was always willing to lend a hand and give a hug. Frieda was a member of Battlefield Baptist Church. Frieda's survivors include: Her son Steven and his wife Janet; grandchildren Malaina Elliott, Kenny Friend, Charlie and Diana Aday, Steve Aday, and Summer Aday; great -grandchildren, Cheyenne, C.J., Tyler, Amber, Carol, Jacob, Hunter, Allie, Morgan, Austin and Maddy; brothers and sisters, Margie, Chester, Phyllis and David. She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth in 2005, her daughter Connie in 2011, her sister Faye, her brother Russell, and her parents. A funeral service will be 12:00 noon, Saturday, December 28, 2019 at Adams Funeral Home, Ozark. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Springfield. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM Saturday until service time at Adams Funeral Home, Ozark.