Freeda Dolores GRIFFIN

FREEDA DOLORES GRIFFIN daughter of Marvin and Gladys (Renner) Hawkins, was born November 15, 1926, in Laclede County, Missouri and departed this life to enter her Heavenly home on January 24, 2026, at the age of ninety-nine years.

Freeda made a profession of faith in Christ as a young girl and lived her life accordingly. She was a member of Liberty Freewill Baptist Church for many years. Most recently, however, she had become a member of First Freewill Baptist Church, where she was also part of the Senior Saints, and was in charge of coordinating and organizing all of their events. She loved her church families and appreciated their many prayers.

Freeda began school in Lebanon, until second grade when her family moved to California. She spent the majority of her childhood there, returning to Lebanon, where she attended Lebanon High School for her senior year. She made friends easily and treasured each friendship.

On August 27, 1945, Freeda was united in marriage with Hershel Lee "pee wee" Griffin, Jr. To this union was born two daughters, Carolyn and Connie. Prior to Hershel's death on April 29, 1998, they had shared fifty-two years of laughter and memories.

She later united in marriage with Leland North. He preceded her in death also.

Although her top priority was tending to the needs of her family, Freeda also worked outside her home. She worked as a sales clerk for many clothing stores in our community. Later in life, she worked at Lebanon High School, where she was a lunch cashier. She loved seeing the kids and they loved seeing her. She also volunteered at Hughes Senior Center and Mercy Hospital.

Freeda never sat idle. She enjoyed weekend getaways to the lake house. She also enjoyed traveling to Springfield for afternoon shopping trips. She was meticulous about her flower garden and had quite a green thumb. However, of all the things she loved about this life, time spent with her family is what she treasured most.

Freeda is survived by her two daughters, Carolyn Schuenemeyer and her husband Charley and Connie Myers, all of Lebanon, MO; four grandchildren, Michael King and his wife Toni, Shane Schuenemeyer and his wife Kimberly, Jeremy Myers and his wife Jennifer and Heather Myers; several great-grandchildren; one nephew Ronnie Lewis and his wife Sherry; other relatives and many friends.

Those preceding her in death include her parents; her first husband, Hershel Lee Griffin, Jr.; one grandson, Steven Myers; one son-in-law, Bruce Myers; her sister, Anna Lewis; and her second husband, Leland North.

Freeda was spunky and fun-loving. She loved her family and friends deeply and unconditionally. We will miss her, but our loss was certainly Heaven's gain.

Memorials in memory of Freeda, have been suggested to The American Heart Association or The First Freewill Baptist Church.

Donations can be left at or mailed to Shadel's Colonial Chapel at P.O. Box 948, Lebanon, MO 65536.