Melissa Freeman

Melissa Freeman is with Jesus!

Born August 8, 1965, in Rome, Georgia, she is preceded in death by her father Ronnie Wayne Reid, grandparents, Hiram and Doris Cronan, father-in-love and mother-in-love, Jimmy and Bonnie Freeman, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a special niece who she adored, Julie Shepard. She is survived by aunts, uncles, many cousins, and so many loving, praying, and supporting friends.
 
Melissa is survived by the love of her life, her soul mate, and husband of thirty-seven years, Jim Freeman. They loved adventures together that included camping, hammock camping on the National Seashore, fishing in the Ozark and the Blue Ridge Mountains, beaching, cruising the Bahamas, and hiking. Their most prized hike was conquering Mt. Leconte. Jim treated her like a Queen, was her best friend and lovingly cared for her during their entire marriage, including after her cancer diagnosis in 2022. He was her Prince Charming, loving her more than she ever felt she deserved. She loved him with everything her heart had to give on this earth and more than words could ever explain.
 
Family was the most important thing on earth to Melissa. She loved everyone that she called family, hosting and cooking for holiday dinners and showers and getting to love on everybody. She was so proud of both her sons, loved them fiercely and unconditionally, and would do anything for either of them.  Darion was included in that love and was like her own child as well. When her grandson, Cyrus came into the world, she got the best of everything she dreamed retirement could be. He was her cherry on top. She poured every single moment she could into his life making memories, enjoying every second, and hoping he would always remember how much his Maw-Maw and Jesus love him.
 
She is survived by her sister and lifelong best friend, Laura Lanier (Todd). Laura was her baby since the day she was born, and she toted her on her hip until Laura was sixish. They reversed roles looking after each other all of their lives. They raised their boys in church and attended church together. They had many adventures together and shared many funny secrets and stories. They were as close as two  sisters can possibly be. She is survived by two sons that she adored, Joshua Agan and Cody Freeman, and her daughter-in-love Darion Freeman that she loved like her own, and her precious grandson, Cyrus. She is survived by her sisters-in-love that she adored Angie Shepard, Tootie Haynes (David), Pam Waits (Charles). She is survived by nephews, Will Lanier ("Aunt Lissa’s baby”), Dave Haynes (Tanya), Amanda Carroll (Lance), and  great-nieces Alyia, Julia, Avery, and great-nephew Brantley, and also several cousins. She is  survived by her loyal baby Woody. He was the best lap dog who rarely left her side for almost ten years.
 
Melissa attended Johnson Elementary School and Model High School class of 1983. She spent her career serving and loving people with disabilities. Her services as an Assistive Rehab Technologist provided accommodations and technology that helped many to live independently, complete school, participate in rehabilitation, and to achieve quality of life and competitive employment. As a volunteer, Melissa also coordinated, raised funds, planned, and assisted with design and implementation of the first wheelchair accessible playground in the area.
 
She was passionate about her work and she loved the people she served and the teams she served with. Many who were friends for life, throughout her sickness, and always loving her so well. If you were a real friend, she loved you completely and forever.
 
Melissa never met a stranger, loved all children, attached quickly to people, loved hard, and often said, “I am sorry, I know that I am a little extra” and she was. She loved and treasured her small circle of “friends for life”. She was not perfect, was not very coordinated or organized, could not do math, dance fancy, or carry a tune in a bucket, but she loved music and tried. She had a temper and a smart mouth that she tamed most of the time with the help of Jesus.

Visitation will be held at Lakeview Baptist Church, on July 21, 2025 from 6:00PM until 8:00PM. The Funeral Service will be held the following day, Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 2:00PM at Lakeview Baptist Church with Pastor Steve Glosson officiating. Interment will follow at Oaknoll Memorial Gardens. 

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