Lewisburg-Freda Murel Meadows, 87, passed away Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, from cancer complications.
Born Mar. 11, 1928, in Herrin, Illinois. Freda was the daughter of the late Grover Cleveland and Mary Agnes Miller Crance.
She was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, William Lee (Pop-Pop); her eldest daughter, Cynthia Lee and her eldest son, James Albert.
Freda is survived by: daughter, Donna Marie Smith and husband Donald; daughter-in-law, Nancy; Melvin Vernon and wife Julie, William Cleveland and wife Paula and Richard Wayne and wife Kathy; brother, Mel “Farky” Crance; 16 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, by whom she was fondly called Grandma.
Freda held to a quiet but sure faith. As age reduced her mobility, she attended the First Baptist Church in Fairlea. Freda enjoyed writing poetry, but the story of her life is easily seen in the slew of energetic children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a stay at home Mom who worked hard raising her six children: she always said that full time employment would be a vacation. She spent most of her adult life searching every nook and cranny for bargain basement sale items. She found a way to clothe six children in a stable fashion year in and year out. She had to make things work, and she always did. It wasn’t a gigantic Walmart back then; it was a Zayres, a Woolco, or a Sears and Roebuck, a Spiegel, or a Montgomery Wards catalog – whatever it took for her to make ends meet on an airline mechanic’s salary. I honestly cannot remember her shopping for herself.
Inspired by the selfless act of her daughter, Cynthia Lee, Mom has chosen to enter the Human Gift Registry for medical education and research at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, located in Lewisburg. Annual Memorial Services are held each year to honor all donors from that year. Family and friends are invited to attend.
Freda and her family are grateful for the loving attention she received from the doctors and nursing attendants at the Peyton Hospice House in Lewisburg. The concern and exceptional care extended to Mom was a sustaining gift from God. In lieu of flowers or donations, find ways to assist the ministry and personal sacrifice associated with the Hospice Program. Life creeps by swiftly so hug somebody.
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg is in charge of arrangements. Please send online condolences by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com.
