Leatrice Mae (Mitchell) Freeeman

Leatrice Mae Mitchell Freeman of Moundville, Alabama received her angel wings on December 18, 2020, after experiencing a brief illness. Mrs. Freeman was residing in Alabama at the time, however, her previous residences included California and Columbus, Ohio. She was from a family of 12, and was born in Reynoldsburg, Ohio in 1925 to the late Lindsay and Helen Mitchell. She graduated from Reynoldsburg High School and worked at Curtiss-Wright, DCSC and Westinghouse in Columbus where she was a Union Steward until 1965. Mrs. Freeman then relocated to California, where she lived for 22 years. While there she worked at Robert Shaw Controls for many years and held numerous positions in the plant. She was an instructor on three major assembly lines, a change agent for plant rules and regulations, chairperson and organizer of the drug and alcohol abuse program at Dominguez Hospital in Long Beach, CA for the plant, and she was the publisher and Co-editor for the plant’s Telestate newspaper. Mrs. Freeman moved back to Columbus, OH in 1986 after the death of her husband. In Columbus she met the late James B. Freeman, whom she married 10 years later in 1996. Freeman lovingly referred to her as “Lee,” and introduced her to the Elkdom. Mrs. Freeman was significant in the birth of the women’s “Nefertiti Club,” and a request was made of the Harvey H. Alston Sr. Lodge #1755 to inquire if they could become Temple for the Club. The request was approved in 1992, and the Nefertiti Temple #1377 was also born. As a retiree, Mrs. Freeman enjoyed spending time with family and friends, reading the Bible, Reader's Digest, and writing. At the ripe age of 91 she published a book entitled “Feelings,” a personal memoir and inspirational guide emphasizing the importance of God, faith, family, and love in life.

She is survived by two children: daughter, Judith (L.C.) Holman of Moundville, Alabama, and son, Daniel Collins of Columbus, Ohio. Also surviving are three grandchildren (Nikkia, Daniel, and Richard), five great-grandchildren (Alana and Nathan Acker; Dominic, Nicholas, and Richard Collins), a Sister-in-law (Donna Mitchell), special friend (Rolland Jackson), a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Freeman was preceded in death by her son Michael Collins; husbands, Daniel Collins, Virgil Harris, and James Freeman; five sisters, Martha Johnson, Catherine Towns, Dorothy Keaton, Margaret Garnes, and Norma Jean Person; Four brothers, Lindsay, Wendell, Charles, and Jay Mitchell; one nephew (Mark A. Sydner) , and one niece (Rita Keaton-Morton). Mrs. Freeman was loved by all who knew her, and she will be greatly missed.

Due to the pandemic, there will only be a short graveside service prior to burial held Greenlawn Cemetery in Columbus, OH on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 12 p.m. Arrangements are entrusted to Burrell Funeral Services in Zanesville, Ohio. Any monetary gifts of love may be sent to Second Community Church, 311 So. Highland Ave., Columbus, OH 43223. BURRELL FUNERAL SERVICES is serving the family.

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