Mayre Bell Freeman

For those who knew Mayre Bell Freeman, it was clear that her priorities were her family and her church. She was born on February 6, 1922, in Springfield, Tennessee. She lived a long life, dying on May 7, 2016, at the age of 94 at Wayne General Hospital after a brief illness. After completing business school, she worked for the Department of Treasury during World War II, where she met Harry B. Freeman while he was in military service. She and Mr. Freeman were married for more than sixty years. They started housekeeping in Waynesboro, where she has been an active resident for the last sixty-six years. She was a founding member of the Waynesboro Church of Christ, along with the late Joe Heathcock, in 1950. There, as the young church grew, she served as bookkeeper and Sunday school teacher. As a founding member of the Chickasawhay chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, she was extremely patriotic. Her country, her state, and her town of Waynesboro were focal to her. She was one of a group of women who helped cultivate a library for the city of Waynesboro. Her artistic side was expressed in her business, Freeman Florist. She was successful in her pursuit of work, and ended it to have more time with her children. Freeman Insurance is now in the home of the florist. She was supportive of her husband’s business, Freeman Funeral Homes of Waynesboro and Leakesville, and Freeman Funeral Services of Citronelle, Alabama, and served as his sounding board in their nightly discussions. She and Mr. Freeman were avid golfers, traveling often to play in tournaments. An enthusiastic bridge player, she enjoyed her weekly challenge with others who loved the game. She also enjoyed nature, especially hummingbirds and camellias, both fixtures in her yard. In her last years, she was cared for and nurtured by a team of caregivers, headed by Juanita Rankin. Her parents were Harrell and Mary Bell of Springfield, Tennessee. Adoringly referred to by her family as “Meha,” she is survived by her children, Harrell Freeman (Carlton) of Metairie, Louisiana; and Emily Freeman of Dallas, Texas; two grandchildren, Liza Freeman Wright (Chris) of Little Rock, Arkansas; and Will Freeman (Laura) of Montgomery, Alabama; and three great-grandchildren, Fenley, Henry, and George Wright of Little Rock, Arkansas. She is also survived by a cousin Kathy Kemesis, of McMinnville, Tennessee; her sister-in law Willard Freeman Holcomb, and a cousin, Ree O’Connell, both of Waynesboro. The funeral service is pending. This obituary is courtesy of Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield. AUSTIN & BELL FUNERAL HOME- 509 WALNUT STREET, SPRINGFIELD, TN (615) 384-1000

Mayre Bell Freeman

February 6, 1922 - May 7, 2016