Clelia Thompson Freeman

Clelia T. Freeman, 97, died peacefully on May 17, 2013, at her home at Atlantic Shores Retirement Community. She was predeceased by her husband, George Clifford Freeman; son, George Clifford Freeman, II; great grandson, Jackson P. Freeman; and sister and brother-in-law, Harvey and Virginia Blankenship. Clelia was born on September 4, 1915, in Spencer, NC. Subsequently her family moved to Portsmouth, Virginia, where Clelia attended the public schools. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1932 and received a BS degree in Education from Radford College in 1936. Her first teaching position was four years at Great Bridge High School where she taught chemistry, physics, plane geometry and solid geometry. In October of 1940, Clelia married the love of her life, George Clifford Freeman, whom she had known since he had entered her third grade classroom in Portsmouth. Over the years Clelia and George had many wonderful experiences in various places throughout the world, including a three-year stint in Japan, Newfoundland where Clelia taught fifth grade, and Washington, DC, where George was assigned to the Pentagon. After George left the service, the family settled in Virginia Beach where George established a surveying business. Clelia earned her Master of Education degree at William and Mary and, subsequently serving as a guidance counselor at Princess Anne and Cox High Schools and as an Assistant Principal at Kempsville High School. Clelia was an active member of the Alpha Rho Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International for 46 years and a life member of Sandbridge Methodist Church. Clelia is survived by her son, Richard R. Freeman of Richmond, VA; seven grandchildren, George C. (Tamara) Freeman, III, Amelia F. (David) Rohrer, Hunter P. Freeman, Sara E. Freeman, Catherine I. Freeman, Catherine C. Freeman and Mary M. Freeman; and great grandchildren, Ben W. Freeman and Jordan E. Freeman. A memorial service will be held at Atlantic Shores Retirement Community on Wednesday, May 22, 2013, at 12 noon. Arrangements are by Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Bayside Chapel. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.