Stephanie Elizabeth Fries

Stephanie Elizabeth Fries, 46, of Beaufort, SC, died Wednesday, August 1, 2024, at her home.

Stephanie was born on November 13, 1977, in Charleston, South Carolina. She is the daughter of Raymond E. Lewis and Kathryn Blaich Lewis. She was a 1997 graduate of Greenwood High School in Greenwood, South Carolina. She was part-owner of The Carolina Tavern Restaurants, in Port Royal and Greenwood, South Carolina. She worked at LowCo Gardeners in Port Royal, South Carolina for Jimmy and Lyndsey Lynds, who were so wonderful to her. Her job at LowCo truly filled her cup and gave her so much joy. It was there, or with her children, that she was happiest.

Surviving in addition to her mother and father, and her grandmother, Sally B. Blaich, are her two daughters, Kathryn and Kamryn Fries and her son, Lawrence J Fries, IV; her brother, Raymond E. Lewis, II, (Whitney), her sister, Lindsey Williams (Mark). Her nieces Lily, Emma and Elizabeth Lewis, and Carlee Williams, and her nephew Charles Williams. Preceding her in death are her beloved grandparents, Flora J. Lewis, Gilbert E. Lewis and Charles A. Blaich of Goose Creek, South Carolina. Special mention are her aunts, Anita (Tom) Watkins of Quenton, Virginia, Rebecca (Doug) Smith of Greenwood South Carolina,
Carol (Tim) Walker of Goose Creek, South Carolina and Becky (Greg) Lewis of Columbia, South Carolina. Her cousins, Christina McDaniel, Kyle and Justin Smith, Brynna Watkins, Kristin Bruggeman, Lauren Walker, Ryan Walker, Victoria Ryan, Margaret Floyd and Brantley Carter. Stephanie cared deeply for her former husband, Lawrence J. Fries,III and his wonderful family. She was blessed by their love.

As some have heard, whether it be directly from her family, or through information rapidly spread, my sister, Stephanie Elizabeth Fries, left this earth on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 5:15 AM. Her life was taken from her in such an unfair manner! As my grandmother in her infinite wisdom immediately said,
“Absent of the body, Present with the Lord!”
Whitney and I were getting up to get to Walmart to gather supplies for a last-minute school project (yes – we are already there, and school hasn’t even been in session for a full week.) My parents and her children were peacefully sleeping while she was leaving this earth. We were not with her holding her hand, or telling her goodbye. We were not with her in the hours before, and we were not with her in the hours after, but unbeknownst to everyone in our family, she was with us. She was free-spirited and adventurous, hardheaded and loving. She loved being outdoors, and as many a wild animal learned, she was the girl who thought she could pet the lion-and it was just going to have to deal with it! With video evidence, we can prove that to be accurate! (Have you ever seen a wild raccoon swaddled? Ever seen a Canadian goose trying to cross the road get scooped up by its butt and neck, and be so shocked that it just took the ride to safety in confusion? Yes, there is a video!!) She had plans to get her kids through school, and get back to the upstate to start an animal rescue with her Aunt Anita. If she ever found anything that tasted great, well, you were going to try it as well!(food allergies be damned!) My sister loved to fix anything she felt was hurting. I’ve said this so many times because I study people, and I speak my mind. I make this statement with reckless abandon and I stand by it: There are good and bad people in this world – there are a lot of good people, and then there is a small percentage of people in this world that will act for your benefit, at their own detriment, and smile doing it!! I hold those people so dear in my eyes because I know when the fire comes, they will shield others! Stephanie was this, in Gold, and she helped so many, and did so much that no one knew about. We hear it through the outpouring of love, thoughts and prayers. It ultimately caused Steph her life. She was a fixer for so many things, people, and places. Sometimes you cannot fix evil – but she was going to pet lions, no matter what! We are deeply saddened, and so angry that we will not speak to her, or hear her voice again. No more adventures or new stories. No new pictures to look at and remember her by. That has been taken, and no justice will meet my need for vengeance. We all must understand that, though not fair, this is the hand that we carry now. Some days it will be too heavy to move and other days it will be just a small cloud of darkness on an otherwise sunny day. She had a strong spirit, and it would dishonor her to bask in sadness and let darkness overshadow any opportunity to laugh, smile, run, push some limits, and test our boundaries for adventure! Make the most of your days because the Lord chose you to be here. There was a 1 in 400 trillion chance that you would be born into this world as you– we made it – don’t waste the gift! There was a 2 in 800 trillion chance that she and I would be here, brother and sister for 42 years together. I will live with the fact that I never took full advantage of that, but man there were some days we really shook this world onto its side and we survived! So there are laughter and tears in that thought! In her memory, I ask you to be happy - adventurous - ride the lightning - dive head first into your dreams with reckless abandon! Laugh - plant flowers - get outside - put your feet in the dirt – love as you wish to be loved – be patient and kind – help others find their way when they are lost – blaze the trail for those confused which path to take, hug and love so many because ultimately that’s what everyone truly wants. To be loved for their good, bad and ugly! DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT try to rescue a turtle from the middle of a busy intersection! I am absolutely convinced that Stephanie has already pestered the Lord into letting that be one of her heavenly duties. That, and if random items show up on my plate, I will know it’s her trying to make me taste something terrible, with the push,”Just try it, you’ll like it!!”-No! I’m going to hate it and taste it for days. However, as the fork is being shoved into my face by something I can’t see, I will try those chickpeas smashed with wasabi and seasoned salt!! Please hug your loved ones so tight! Tight enough that they get that good little back pop and know that you love them! Our family greatly appreciates all the outreach love and support! I know it is impossible to find the words to say so I’ll help everyone because this is what we are experiencing: We know that we are loved, and we feel your prayers!! We are loving the stories being shared with us about your experiences with Stephanie – it’s what we will have left going forward, and we will cherish them. So it’s simple, there are no words that can take away the pain- but telling us you loved her, love us, and will pray for our road ahead– that is invaluable. We have read every single comment made! My sister was a free soul. The Lord knows she was a thrill-seeker and loved this earth, wind, water, and fire! Please pray for our family, who should never have been in this situation. Pray for her children who have to navigate their lives without their mother – one in college, one in high school, and one in middle school. Each with a bit of her in them – Kathryn has her determination and love for adventure, Joseph has her heart and tenderness, and Kami-Kam has her spitfire attitude and blonde hair!! They are in important chapters of their lives and will need your support and love! Pray for my grandmother, Sally, who has to be strong for everyone, and always has been. Pray for Stephanie’s children’s father, Larry Fries, who has been a rock through this entire situation, when he did not have to be. He loved his own father, and is making him so proud as he looks down at the man that Larry is– I love and appreciate him so much – his dad sure molded a good one! Pray for my wife and girls as they try to comprehend what happened, and did so without me, as I left immediately to get to Stephanie’s children. Pray for those you hold dear, and pray, pray, pray for anyone that is in an unhealthy situation. My sister will not be remembered for how she left this world, but for the impact she had when she was in it! I will never say goodbye to my spitfire of a big sister, so till next time, I love you. I always have and I always will, so stack some adventures for us – I’ll have my laces tied tight!!
Love, Love, Love,
Your brother Ray Ray

Celebration of life services are being planned and will be added as soon as they are completed.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to ...an Animal Rescue of your choice.

Click this link to view additional details about Stephanie's Services: https://my.gather.app/remember/stephanie-fries