Mary Ann Freels passed away on August 18, 2024, at the age of 88 at home with her family in Paducah, Kentucky. Mary Ann was born in Paragould, AR on February 21, 1936, to the late Ernest and Helen Batten. She was a member of Lone Oak United Methodist Church.
She was a graduate of Paducah Tilghman High School, Paducah Community College, and Murray State University. She was a well-loved Business Professor Emerita at Paducah Community College. While maintaining her professional career, she also supported her husband William’s successful entrepreneurial endeavors including Freels Wholesale and I-24 Self Storage.
She was a former member of Beta Sigma Phi social sorority, Delta Kappa Gamma educator sorority, and Paducah Women’s Club. She loved attending Lone Oak United Methodist Church’s “JJ’s” women’s circle and “Keenagers” elders group.
Mary Ann was happy reading fiction and volunteering at the Quilt Museum and the Paducah library book sales, always while dressed smartly. She loved a good mystery, and was a fan of over four decades of Murder She Wrote on television. She was ready for an adventure at any time, from taking a day trip to Southern Illinois to watch for eagles, to making the journey to the North Pole to see polar bears. She and William spent most of their later summers either in Alaska or Nova Scotia on leisurely road trips to escape the summer heat of Paducah. She greatly enjoyed attending the Long Island NY wedding of her granddaughter Catherine to Sam last year.
Mary Ann is preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, William Cody Freels of Paducah. She is survived by her sister Ernestine Halstenberg of Ladue, Missouri; daughter Anne Garmon, and son in law, Jeff Garmon, both of Dallas, Texas; and granddaughter Catherine Wildman, and her husband Sam Wildman, both of Dallas, Texas. Her surviving family will all miss her optimistic outlook and deep love.
The family appreciates the kindness and service of Black Pearl Home Care in their caring for Mary Ann during her last years.
A funeral service for Mary Ann will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah, with Reverend Sherry Golightly of Arcadia Methodist Church officiating. A private family burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will begin at 11:00 A.M until the 2:00 P.M. service time on Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at the Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah.
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