Mary Mildred Freeman, 90, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, February 21, 2019.
Born in Hilliard, Fla., she graduated from Jones College. In 1959, after marrying her husband, James Powell Freeman, she moved to Fernandina Beach, where they raised their sons. She retired from the Nassau County Clerk of Courts in 1991.
Mrs. Freeman had a strong faith and was devoted to serving God. She was a longtime member of Five Points Baptist Church. She loved her family dearly. Family was extremely important to her. She had a strong love and protectiveness for her immediate and extended family. After retiring, she raised her two granddaughters, instilling values and a love for the Lord. Her ability to make anybody smile was one of her many endearing qualities.
Mrs. Freeman treasured nature and animals. In her younger days, she was an avid gardener. You could always find her outside working in her yard. She had quite a collection of beautiful plants. Gardening was therapy for her. It lifted her spirits to plant seeds and watch them bloom and grow.
Not only did she have a big heart when it came to family, that love extended to animals, especially her beloved cats. She took in and cared for many stray dogs and cats over the years.
She enjoyed many trips to the mountains with her family. Mrs. Freeman went on adventures, exploring Franklin, N.C. She even walked the loop trail at the Joyce Kilmer Forest about 20 years ago. Her declining health prevented her from traveling over the years, but she loved sharing the fond memories made with her family while visiting the mountains. Whether at the mountain house or her home in Florida, she really loved sitting on the porch just admiring God’s creation.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Marquis “Mark” and Mildred “Millie” Tomlinson; her husband, James Powell Freeman; sisters, Nellie Strickland and Eva Vanzant; and brother,Frank Tomlinson.
She leaves behind her sisters, Lilian Freeman, Stella Davis, and Ruby Carter, all of Fernandina Beach, and Delaine Tuggle of Hilliard; brother, Robert Tomlinson of Hilliard; sons, Shane Freeman and Scott Freeman, both of Fernandina Beach; granddaughters, Chelsy Freeman (Kyle) Day of Yulee, Fla., Marcie Freeman and Amanda “Mandy” (Adam) Salzburg, both of Fernandina Beach, and Christina Foster of Kingsland, Ga.; great-granddaughter, Alaina Garcia, and great-grandson, Maddox Freeman; and multiple nieces, nephews, and step-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 1, 2019 at Five Points Baptist Church. She will be laid to rest at Bosque Bello Cemetery. The family will receive friends at 10 a.m. at the church.
If you desire, in lieu of flowers donations in memory of Mrs. Freeman can be made to the Nassau Humane Society at 639 Airport Road, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.
Please share your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors