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Freda Stein Obituary
Mrs. Stein was born in Cary, MS the daughter of Mollie and Morris Grundfest. She spent her formative years with her parents and seven siblings in that small Mississippi Delta town. After graduating Brenau University in 1933, she moved to Greenville where she married Jake Stein in 1935. In Greenville, she and Jake built a life in retailing and the end result was Stein Mart, a business that she devoted much time and enthusiasm to. Having been imbued with a love of family, faith and community, she built a life making a difference in all three.
For the last six years, she has been a resident of Jacksonville, FL where she moved to be close to her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jake in 1989.
She is survived by a son, Jay Stein and his wife, Deanie; and her two grandchildren, Jaymere and Berry Stein.
After the graveside service, there will be a reception for friends and family in the Temple Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that tributes be made in her name to the Hebrew Union Congregation Cemetery Fund in Greenville.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Freda Stein
susan buckler
September 2, 2009
Dear Jay,
I only learned today, September 2, of your beloved mother's passing.
You know the great affection I always felt for her. She was an incredibly unique woman, quietly filled with amazing wisdom and dignity. She was so appreciative of the bounties of her life, and I know, that she always adored you and the children. May her memory be a blessing to you all. With so much love, Susie (Buckler)
August 31, 2009
Jay, we loved her and we will miss her. We are so grateful that we could attend her beautiful funeral services.
Carl & Inge
Randy & Alica Bird
August 29, 2009
Mr.Stein,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you on this time of grief. Your Mother was a great Lady!
Brenda Johns
August 26, 2009
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. May you feel the comfort of God's hand.
August 26, 2009
I'm very sorry to hear of your loss. I know that this is a difficult time for the family. May the family and friends find relief by continuing to pray to God for strength and support.
Matthew 26:41 "..pray continually"
Cora Lynn Wilson
August 26, 2009
Jay,Deanie, Jaymere, Berry, family & friends,
I know she was so special because you all cared for her so much. What an amazing heritage. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
With deepest sympathy.
Sincerely, Cora Lynn, Bill, Elizabeth, Meredith,& William Wilson
August 26, 2009
Jay,
What a lady! I am so grateful to have grown up knowing Mrs. Freda. The last time I saw her was shortly before she moved to Jacksonville She was having lunch at Sherman's - dressed to the nines and holding court, as only Mrs. Freda could do.
My sincere sympathy to all of the family,
Scottie Schwarz Davis
Michael, Iva, and Jake
August 26, 2009
Jay,Deanie,Jaymere,and Berry
I was saddened by the news of your Mother's and Grandmother's passing. I met Freda only twice,and was privileged to sit with her at the Stein Mart awards banquet in Orlando. Not only did she make me feel welcome, she made me feel like I was a part of the family.
Her kindness,caring and gentle smile were a gift to everyone she touched.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
uff simchas
August 26, 2009
Jay, I am sorry I received the news of you mom's passing too late to make the service. What a great life lived! She obviously passed along to you a zest for life, and I know that you and your family must have had a great celebration of her influence. We will keep you in our prayers. Jim Barco, Brenau University
Bobby & Donna Burke
August 25, 2009
Jay,
Donna & I were so sorry to hear about your mother. She was a very classy lady. I remember her well growing up in Greenville. You will be in our thoughts & prayers.
Bobby & Donna Burke
Maryville, TN
Harry Danson
August 25, 2009
Jay And Deanie,
My deepest condolences to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers our with you, Deanie, and Family at this most difficult time. With mych love!
mary Tompkins
August 25, 2009
She was a ray of sunshine. Enjoyed her coming in the store and chatting with her. She will be missed. My Deepest sympathies to the family.
Robin Murchison
August 25, 2009
My deepest condolences to all of her family. A smile in my heart for a life well lived by a true, lovely Southern woman whose gracious being was an inspiration to all.
Robbie Fisher
August 25, 2009
Jay,
Your mother was a wonderful lady and will be missed by many. She knew how to make everyone she met feel special. While I received this sad news too late to attend the service, I am keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Patricia Tarver
August 25, 2009
Our deepest symphathy to you and your family.
August 25, 2009
I work at Cypress Village and had the pleasure of seeing Mrs. Stein often. She was one of my very favorite people here and she will be so missed by everyone. My favorite image of her is dancing to the bands at Egret Hall. She was a great lady who knew how to enjoy every day of her life. My deepest sympathies to the family.
Bonnie Goldsmith
Fred & Joan McCourt
August 25, 2009
A great lady, fondly remember, gone but never forgotten.
Julie Mason
August 25, 2009
Dear Jay -- She was a great lady, one of the best. We mourn with you. Love, Julie and Bill Mason
Lyn Warren Hubbard
August 25, 2009
I have the best memories of growing up in Greenville and shopping at Stein Mart and seeing Mrs. Stein. As a teenager, I always enjoyed visiting with her in the store, and she always greeted me with a smile and friendly conversation. It was a loss for Greenville when she moved to Florida, and it is truly a loss now for everyone. Everytime I return to Greenville and shop at Stein Mart, I still expect to see Mrs. Stein in the ladies department taking care of the customers and carrying clothes to the dressing room for someone. You will all be in our thoughts!
August 24, 2009
Dear Jay,
Your mother was a great Lady.
My most sincere sympathy to you and your family.
Your old friend,
Joe Weilenman
3205 Canco Hill Rd.
Pago Pago, American Samoa
96799
[email protected]
Eloise Garrett Thompson
August 24, 2009
Never met a soul that didn't love Freda. She was a joy to know, generous, caring, and had a knack for fashion that was way ahead of the times. She will definitely be remembered for her kindness to others.My prayers are with you at this difficult time.
August 24, 2009
My condolences to the entire Stein Family. Just to share a story of why she was so special to so many people! One day several years ago, in Greenville, I was in the beauty parlor with Mrs. Stein. She was with two of her friends and I saw them whispering as to who I was. Mrs. Stein walked straight up to me and said "Darlin, I know you but can't remember your name." Since my husband and his family is and was from Greenville, I tried to explain though that avenue. She then said "I now know who you are. You're from Lake Village." Made me feel like I was somebody and not just a in-law! It takes special people to make people special!! She was one of them! Again I'm so sorry. I know she will be missed by many. Sarah Jane Bunker Farr
Harold/Carolyn Holiman
August 24, 2009
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Marian Alexander
August 24, 2009
Jay - I am so sorry your mother's time has come. She was so darling always, dressed to the nines, and a real contributor to many things in Greenville. I will never forget her generosity at President Clinton's first inauguration when she offered Charlie and Caslin Tindall and me a ride from the airport to our hotel in the limousine you arranged to pick her up. That was my first limo ride and it was a very elegant one. I have a doctor's appointment at 11 Tuesday so will not be able to attend the burial service. I will try to come to the reception. Marian Sykes Alexander
Bobby Pugh
August 24, 2009
Sorry about your mother. I knew both Jake and your mother when I lived in Greenville. She was a very good lady. I ran around with Stanley Sherman and Charles Itzig. Called Stanley a few minutes ago and he said you called him Sat. I think you were very young when I was there. I finished high school in 1957 with Stanley. Still not retired just tired. I have a Insurance agency in Little Rock. Take care.
Hodding Carter
August 24, 2009
My dear Jay,
Your mother was a great lady, the center of your family, your greatest fan and as good to anyone named Carter was it was possible to be. Patt and I send our love, sympathy and regret that we cannot be there tomorrow. You know just how fortunate you were to have her with you and close by for so long.
Jim Veal
August 24, 2009
A most remarkable Lady from an incredible Family. The very finest of Greenville. My heartfelt sympathy to you all.
Ola Moore
August 24, 2009
As I grew up in Greenville, my memory of Freda and Jake are so vivid. I can see her now...with those beautiful hats...sacking at Stein Mart and just being Freda. How proud we are of all the Steins.
Patsy Graddick
August 24, 2009
Ms. Freda visited us often when I worked at the Jackonville Beach, Florida store. Always arriving with her beautiful smile, warm personality and making sure her "customers" were being taken care of.. her love for her Stein Mart customers was evident each time she visited .. always the consumate "Southern Lady" and at age 90 plus still the best dressed lady in town... I will miss seeing her beautiful face....
Alice Russell Bryan
August 24, 2009
Jay,
I am so sorry for your loss. You were so lucky to have her so long, but the loss is still saddening I am sure. I will notify Buddy since he never reads his email.
Sherry Tietjens
August 24, 2009
Jay, I am so sorry to hear that you have lost Freda. She was the sweetest, nicest person in the world to me and always brought me up to date on you and yours when I saw her on my trips to Greenville. You are a living testimony of her expertise in parenting. Would that we could all be such a mother! God Bless and keep you as she would.
Ann Elise Walston
August 24, 2009
Our prayers go out to the Stein family as they celebrate her life at this time. She was one of the first people we met when we moved to Greenville, and made us feel so welcome. She has been missed since she moved to Florida, but I know the family is so thankful to have had this time with her.
Victoria Oakman Ingram-Rhodes
August 24, 2009
Many prayers to her family,was always a delight growing up in greenville and seeing Mrs. Stein dressed to a tea in the store,,such a wonderful and kind lady...
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