Fradelle "Fradie" Jacob

Fradelle “Fradie” Jacob passed away on Saturday, September 12, 2026, in Bryan, Texas. Fradie was the loving matriarch of a family who will continue to embrace the mantra of “togetherness.” Fradie was born December 30, 1932, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Sophie and Morris Smith. Her earliest memories were climbing the stairs of the duplex her family shared with their grandparents to enjoy hugs and warm oatmeal. Fradie’s mom, Sophie, instilled togetherness, and her dad, Morris, made her his princess. Fradie loved to dance. She gracefully leapt over a creek with a ballet grande jete, only to watch the boy behind her splash in the water when he couldn’t do the same. She later won jitterbug contests with her brother, Cal Smith. Fradie married her deeply loved husband, Roy Jacob, in 1952. Together, they built a devoted family bursting with noise, curiosity, and adventure sports. Fradie could do without those sports, yet she made a path for the passions of the family she loved. Fradie modeled how to support as she edited and typed Roy’s doctoral thesis, and she showed how to lead when she became a sought-after real estate agent in Houston, Texas. After Fradie and Roy moved to Texas in 1968, they drove every summer to the family cabin in Canada. On the way, they would stop in Minnesota to visit the family, and Fradie would have the treat to get her hair done by her brother, Joe Smith, who did the best curly cut before it was called curly cut. Summers at the cabin were all about togetherness and discovery. Fradie made it happen. She organized the trek and served chocolate bars for lunch. Fradie was a talented creative. Everyone who visited was charmed by the cabin she decorated. While her crew was sailing and swimming, Fradie would sit on the dock and read. Fradie was introduced to literature as a child, and her cherished experiences at the St. Paul Public Library were the foundation of her education leading to her liberal arts degree from the University of Minnesota. Fradie was also a storyteller of sly wit. When touring her husband's physics lab, she remarked, "Oh look at the Bunsen burner" to all the scientists gathered around a giant flaming torch. And the story of driving through flooded Houston streets or deep Winnipeg snow and ice to take her 3-year-old to the ER with a step ladder stuck on his finger while 7 months pregnant... So many stories! Learning was a lifelong passion. In her senior years, she became a smartphone pro. Fradie formed such tangible relationships with her distant great grandchildren on video calls that they were always excited to talk and play with her on screen and ran into her loving arms when they finally had face to face visits. Fradie is survived by her children, Maury and Mary Ann Jacob, Estee Jacob, Dave and Jules Jacob; her grandchildren, Danny and Ashley Caplan, Ben and Natalia Jacob, and Leah and Elon Weintraub; 3 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and her younger brother, Joseph. She will be ever in the hearts of her family and all that knew her. A private graveside service was held.

Fradelle "Fradie" Jacob

December 30, 1932 - September 12, 2026