MATTHEWS, NORTH CAROLINA
Celebration of Life: Mary Elizabeth Cresswell Freeman
Born: December 22, 1924 Died: November 16, 2022 Age: 97
Mary passed away peacefully on November 16, 2022 at her daughter Jane’s home. Mary lived a life of giving and service to others, including but not limited to her church, her family, her friends, and anyone else that needed help. She loved gardening, the St. Louis Cardinals, cooking, camping, doing puzzles, and her church. She was an avid backyard bird and butterfly watcher. Mary was most joyful when she was surrounded by family, friends, and more recently her “service” dog, Bandit, who didn’t like to leave her side.
Mary was born on December 22, 1924 in Ebo, Missouri, the daughter of Gordon and Ruth Jane Cresswell (Springer). She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 67 years, Louis (Tim) Freeman, brothers Ray, John G., and Thomas, and sister Juanita.
Mary graduated from Farmington High School, in Missouri, where she was a member of the Drum and Bugle Corps, among other activities. She graduated from Jewish Hospital School of Nursing in 1947. She met her future husband Tim, at the town swimming pool, where he was a lifeguard. They were engaged February 14, 1947 and married August 30, 1947. Their life together began near water, and they spent many great times enjoying boating and swimming activities. Mary practiced as a Registered Nurse in hospitals and MD offices, until moving to Charlotte in 1969. Once here, she worked in the nursing lab at Central Piedmont Community College until she retired in 1986.
Survivors include daughter Jane (Keith) of Matthews, grandsons Daniel Ferguson (Elizabeth Beck) of Lexington, NC and Brett Howie (Cheyenne Crabtree) of Efland, NC; and great grandsons Jacob Ferguson and Isaiah Beck of Lexington, NC and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and grand dogs Bandit, Shugs, and Maizy.
The family wants to give thanks to Charlotte Hospice and Palliative Care. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Cokesbury Methodist Church, Charlotte, NC, Humane Society of Charlotte, or to the charity of their choice.
The Freeman Family have entrusted arrangements to Cremation Society of Charlotte.
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