Obituary of Fay Redfern
Faye Redfern January 25, 1925- February 5, 2025.
Faye Redfern, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother passed away from this earthly journey and graduated into the loving arms of Jesus, her Savior and Lord on February 5, 2025. She was born on January 25, 1925, in Ozark, Arkansas. She lived 100 years. It is safe to say that during those 100 years she saw more change and rapid progress in knowledge and technology in the world than any previous generation. Even though she was born and raised in the rural setting of the Ozark mountains with its limited opportunities, she also had a sense of adventure. She was ready to move forward, not paralyzed by fear of the unknown.
When she was seventeen, she met Lawrence (Pete) Redfern. After a brief courtship they were married on July 17, 1942 during World War II. In June of 1943, she delivered her first born daughter, Carolyn LaVerne Redfern. Pete was drafted into the Army and served in the invasion of Germany with the Allied Forces while Faye waited and raised her little daughter. Pete returned from the war in 1945, and in August, 1946 they welcomed the birth of their son, Edward Eugene. Three months before his birth, they had moved from Arkansas to Stockton, California where Pete went to work as a carpenter. Faye was on a new adventure far away from home and relatives with two young children to raise.
Moving was always on their minds, even if it was just across town. Their adventures saw them move to Vallejo, CA in 1951, to Napa in 1955, to Fairfield and Vacaville in 1972, to Oroville in 1981 where they moved at least eight times. The moves were often motivated by the opportunity of buying a house or modular home and improving it. Faye was raised during the hard times of the Great Depression and embraced the values of hard work and making the most out of less. She was always ready to sacrifice herself for her family and grandkids. One of her greatest qualities was the gift of hospitality. She was not only a fabulous cook, but also made everyone who came to her table feel like they belonged to the family.
She was a gifted cake decorator and baked the birthday and wedding cakes for the weddings of her children and most of her grandchildren. She also was a seamstress and often made clothing for her extended family. She loved to plant and grow fruits and vegetables in her garden. Even though she liked flowers, back on the farm in Arkansas the motto was, “If you can’t eat it, don’t plant it.” She was old-school and canned some of the produce from her garden. Her freezer was always well stocked.
Faye loved to go on road trips and experience whatever came her way. She was adaptable and almost never complained in any given situation. In her last few years as her health deteriorated, her travels and adventures were limited, but she was gracious and kind to everyone. Her doctors and health care professionals were amazed by her sweetness and kindness that she expressed, even in her suffering. She has been a quiet woman of influence on her family, her faith community family, and especially those who lived in her neighborhood.
She has made her last move, but her life and memory will be celebrated as family and friends gather together on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at the Oroville Church of the Nazarene, 2238 Monte Vista Ave. The service will begin at 11AM followed by a provided lunch.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ramsey Funeral Home 530-534-3877