Krystal “Kris” Marie Frainie
A long time ago in a galaxy far far away, the Lord intimately and intentionally knew a woman he desired to create and on September 17, 1951, Harry and Edna Lishman welcomed Krystal “Kris” Marie Frainie into their Hampton, Virginia home. She was the youngest of three girls following Penny, who is 10 years her senior and Linda, who is five years her senior. Kris completed their family and forever impacted our world!
Kris was smart, funny and an avid reader. She enjoyed creating, writing, serving others and studying God's word. Her love for scripture led her to eventually pursue a degree in theology. She was unashamed of the gospel of Christ and knew that if Jesus Christ could set her free, He could set anyone free! Kris became involved in the pro-life movement in the late 70s. While living in Knoxville, she served to counsel young unwed mothers in crisis pregnancy and defend the right to life. In the late 80s/early 90s, Ed & Kris moved their family to Chattanooga where she became actively involved as the office manager for AAA Women’s Services. As she continued to participate in crisis pregnancy counseling with the team at AAA, it was realized the younger population needed to be reached before sex and pregnancy became a crisis. In 1991, Kris developed an abstinence education curriculum called “Birds, Bees and Other Baloney”, designed to present biblical truth on the issue of sexuality. She would teach this curriculum to youth groups in churches, until the call for her to reach the local schools came in and she received the support and team to do just that. The Why kNOw? abstinence education program was developed and directed by Kris and now serves as a national model for similar programs. The curriculum is widely used in Chattanooga & North Georgia area schools.
Throughout her married life, Kris kept an open door to the needy and her desire to honor God through helping others led to housing pregnant unwed mothers and their pre-born babies, refugees from Vietnam, missionaries and many others. She would joke that other people's children brought home stray animals and her children brought home stray people…and they never left! She had a profound gift to see the good in people and cover those she encountered with love.
If you were privileged to know Kris personally, you know she is a Trekkie at heart, with a love for sci-fi fantasy movies and time spent with her husband and family. You could find her reading the latest JD Robb novel, meeting with her weekly crochet knitting group, serving with her husband at Calvary Chapel Chattanooga on the weekends or speaking VERY LOUDLY at the TV News.
When the culture and the pains of this world became too great, Kris would say “Beam me up Scottie, there is no intelligent life down here” and the Lord, in his great mercy, finally answered her with warp speed.
Peacefully in her favorite position of sleep, our beloved wife and mother opened her eyes in heaven to see her savior, Jesus, face to face! She is now in glory forever healed and free. We are thankful for the gift of her salvation which led to the salvation of her husband, children and grandchildren. Her legacy is faith, prayer, the word of God and the pursuit of truth. She loved with deep loyalty and compassion. She fought tirelessly for life and the protection of it from the womb to the grave. Her marriage of 52+ years to Edward Frainie was preceded by four years of dating, after meeting on Buckroe Beach, Virginia, in 1966. She tells of seeing the handsome sixteen year old in an arcade and asking for a nickel. She has asked him for money ever since. Their love story began when she was 14 years old and only grew deeper and more intimate throughout the years. Her marriage produced three very loved children Mark, Kimberly and Hope who have produced four beautiful granddaughters Emilie, Charis, Maya & Gladys.
Thank you to our wife, mom, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin and friend!
All our love!
Well done & see you soon!
We will be celebrating Kris Frainie’s life on June 25, 2023, at 4 p.m. in the afternoon at Calvary Chapel Chattanooga located at 3415 Broad Street, Chattanooga, Tn. 37409.
We are preparing a special presentation for the service including comments, videos and photos submitted to mcmommyk@gmail.com. We welcome stories, memories, scriptures, prayers and pictures.
In lieu of of flowers, please make a donation to the following in honor of Kris Frainie:
National Memorial for the Unborn, https://www.memorialfortheunborn.org/#Donate
St. Jude Children Hospital, https://www.stjude.org
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.williamsonandsons.com.
Arrangements are by Williamson and Sons Funeral Home, 8852 Dayton Pike, Soddy Daisy, TN 37379.