Johnny Kathryne Freeman went home to be with the Lord January 30 2012, at the age of 68. She passed as she lived: gracefully and surrounded by family.
Johnny was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She had recently celebrated her 44th year of marriage to her soulmate. She was a strong proponent of education, insisting that her children achieve all that they set out to do and helping them to do just that with her unwavering love and support. She struck a perfect balance of spoiling her grandchildren and making certain that they too could achieve their goals. Whether in times of joy or in times of struggle, she was a solid bedrock of support and love for all who knew her.
Johnny was a long-time member of Edgemoor Baptist Church, and was devoted to her Lord. She always tried to be an ambassador for Christ to all she met, and treated everyone with His love, kindness and respect.
With her husband, she was co-owner of Claxton True Value Hardware Store, widely seen as the gathering place and social center of the Claxton community, of which she was as an ardent and unabashed supporter. She was such an integral part of the community that she became known as the "Mayor of Claxton," an honorary title that she wore with pride. She fought for Claxton's independence and development, organizing and supporting efforts to maintain and improve the community.
Johnny is preceded in death by parents James and Helen Jenkins, first husband William Von Hardin, father and mother-in-law W.D. and Mertha Hardin, father and mother-in-law H.B. and Drotha Freeman, and brother-in-law Willis Freeman.
She is survived by husband Dillis D. Freeman, daughter Billy Von and Dr. Tim Powers, son Dillis and Rebecca Freeman, grandchildren John Paul and Grace Kathryne Lee Powers, sister Jane and Kenneth Ivey, brother James and Diane Jenkins, sister-in-law Phyllis and Mike Daily, sister-in-law Dorothy and Jim Sharp, and dozens of nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews whom she adored.
The family wishes to thank all who sustained the family during Johnny's hard-fought struggle with cancer through food, laughter, support and prayers. A special thanks goes to those who provided special help to the family in Johnny's time of need: Johnny's sister Jane and niece Leslie Turpin, Sharon Yoder, Joyce Cabe, Jim and Doris Kennedy, Laura Owens, Jennifer Zimmerman, Suzanne Spring, John Walker, Jo Williams, and Tony Glandon. The family would especially like to thank Sherri Daniels, who treated Johnny like family while caring for her.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 4, 2012 from 6-8PM at the Holley-Gamble Funeral Home with funeral service at 8:00PM with Pastor Rick Miller & Rev. Kenneth Ivey officiating.
Graveside services will be Sunday, February 5th at 2:00PM at Woodhaven Memorial Gardens in Claxton. Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of the arrangements. www.holleygamblefh.com.