Missionary Barbara Jean Freeman

“Let The Works I’ve Done Speak for Me” DOUGLASVILLE, GA/UTICA, NY – Missionary Barbara Jean Freeman, age 84, passed away on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, surrounded by the love of her family. Born in Albany, NY on June 4, 1940, Barbara was the daughter of the late McKinley and Alberta M. (Charles) Cunningham. She was the oldest of seven children. In 1958 she graduated from Philip Schuyler Senior High School in Albany. In 1961 she became the first Black nursing student to graduate from Utica State Hospital School of Nursing. She received her Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing from Syracuse University in May of 1973 and her Master of Science in Public Service Administration from Russell Sage College in Troy, NY, in May of 1991. Missionary Barbara Freeman was employed at Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center for 34 years as staff nurse, head nurse, nurse administrator, and intensive case manager. She served faithfully in several organizations in the community as well as at St. Matthew’s Temple Church of God in Christ. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Vice President of Central New York Scleroderma Foundation, a Red Cross First Aid Instructor, and a member of CORE Advisory Board. At St. Matthew’s Temple COGIC she served on the Missionary Board, as President of Christian Women’s Council, President of the Youth Department, President of the First Aid Club, a Senior Choir and Women’s Choir member, and a Senior High School Sunday School Teacher. She was the recipient of the New York Western First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction’s Outstanding YWCC Member and the YWCC President Awards and the Women of Merit Award from the Oneida County Historical Society. Missionary Freeman highly valued the education of our youth and founded the College Prep Club at St. Matthew's to prepare young people for college, trade school, life, or any path that would guide them toward a positive future. Missionary Freeman, although ill with Scleroderma, continued to encourage and help others faithfully. She had a special love for children and young adults, always seeing their gifts and their potential. She had many sayings and scriptures such as “Take can’t out of your vocabulary and say I can,” “You can achieve, you might have to work harder, but don’t give up”, and her favorite scripture was “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” - Philippians 4:13 NKJV. She leaves to cherish her memory her loving and devoted husband, Henry C. Freeman whom she met in 1961 and married in 1963; her devoted children, Alyce Yvonne Samuel (Donald), and Mark Henry Freeman (Anesiha); Jeffery Coleman, Christopher Freeman (Laconduas), her nephew who she always claimed as her son, Vivian Tucker and Judy Brooks, whom she lovingly referred to as her daughters; grandchildren, Justine M. Samuel (Kelvin Ampofo), and Christine A. Samuel, whom she called her “two good doses of medicine,” Danielle Brooks, Denajhae Clyde, Johnathan Jackson, Raymond Brooks, Rod Jackson, and Merv Smith, who came to her later in life to love; and great-granddaughter, Frankie Ampofo, who put a twinkle in Grannie’s eye whenever she visited and during Facetime visits too. Frankie could give her a boost of energy or get a chuckle out of her, catching a ride on the back of Grannie’s rollator “helping Grannie.” She will also be remembered by her sister, Joyce Reese; and brother, Timothy Cade (Laverne). Goddaughters, Michelle Williams, and Tamika Blair; godsons, Todd Crenshaw (Shannon), Charles Roshon Braddock, Al Henderson Jr., and Kyle Lamar Jones; loving sisters-in-law, Mamie Dell Martin, Mary Dean Butler, Lily Freeman, Deborah Freeman, Mary Freeman, and Laverne Cade; brother-in-law, Zelmon Crenshaw; spiritual children, Gwendolyn Jones, Darlene Mack-Brown, Pamela Martin, Ernest “Bub” Brown, and Derrick Brooks; spiritual grandchildren, Kendra Frazier, Vanessa Tucker, Krystal Brown, Emma Monroe, Jia Mack, Cynthia Monroe, Stasha Dunkley, John Enoch, Nigel Dunkley, D’sean Mack, and Jiquel Dunkley; as well as a host of additional nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She fondly remembered her siblings who preceded her, Sandra A. Crenshaw, Leatrice Jackson, Cynthia R. Cade, her sister Sandra’s twin brother who passed away at birth, and Velton Lorin Cade; her beloved grandparents, Alice “Nana” Harmon, and Jesse “Daddy Harmon” Harmon; her loving father-in-law and mother-in-law, Freddie and Ruby Freeman; sisters-in-law, Betty Freeman, and Everee McKay; and brothers-in-law, Milton Butler, Quincy Freeman, Willie "Billy" Freeman, Charles “Bubble” Freeman, George Freeman, Bobby Freeman, and Raymond Freeman. Faith and family meant everything to Grannie. A special thank you to Evangelist Linda Garner-Smith for her love, care, and dedication in assisting with Mom’s care over the past year. Thank you so much. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Temple COGIC, 110 Washington Street. Barbara’s Going Home Service and Celebration of Life will commence at 1:00 p.m. at the church. Interment will take place in Forest Hill Cemetery. In lieu of floral offerings, memorial contributions in Barbara’s honor may be made to the National Scleroderma Foundation online at http://national.scleroderma.org/goto/HonoringBarbaraFreeman; envelopes will also be made available at the service. This tribute to Missionary Barbara Freeman’s life was lovingly written by her family.

Missionary Barbara Jean Freeman

June 4, 1940 - September 11, 2024