Willie Mae Wade Freeman

Willie Mae Wade Freeman, 89, passed from this earthly life into eternal life on Friday, July 15, 2011, at Hospice of East Texas.Willie Mae built her life around her husband, family and church. She was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Henderson since childhood.As an adult she and her husband, Wayne, were always involved in the activities of the Lord's Church. Since 1951, she sang in the sanctuary choir and served as director of the three-year-old Sunday School, accumulating over 50 years of service to both the choir and preschool Sunday School.Additionally, those who knew and loved her were also honored to see her at every wedding, funeral, or shower of any member of the church. Her family was also her passion. She was so proud of her daughter, son-in-law, and grandsons. As the grandsons married she had the pleasure of welcoming two granddaughters-in-law, and two great-grandchildren into her family circle.A private family graveside service at Lakewood Memorial Cemetery conducted by the Rev. Bill Tisdale, was held on Saturday, July 16, 2011. A celebration of life service conducted by Don Edmiston, Rod Salmon, and Rev. Robert Hall followed the private graveside service at 3 p.m. in the First Baptist Church sanctuary under the direction of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home in Henderson. Immediately following the celebration of life service, the family received friends in the Family Life Center of First Baptist Church.She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Wayne Freeman; a daughter, Sharla McGee and husband Milton McGee of Henderson; grandsons, Trey McGee and wife Jennifer of Nashville, Tenn. and Derek McGee and wife Kathryn of Austin; and great-grandchildren, Meredith Jane and Peter Freeman McGee of Nashville, Tenn. She is also survived by sisters, Eva McKnight of Tyler, Thetys Wade, Elizabeth McMurray and Laneese Crim, all of Henderson.Additionally, she is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.She was preceded in death by her parents, John Edger and Bertha Mae Parr Wade; sisters, Evelyn Wade, Estelle Wright, and Alicia Lowdermilk; a brother, John E. Wade Jr. and triplet brothers, Warren and Woodrow Wade.The family would like to express its appreciation to the attentive staffs and physicians of Trinity Mother Frances Hospital, Emeritus of Henderson, Henderson Health and Rehabilitation Center, and The Hospice of East Texas for their care during Willie Mae's last year of declining health.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Henderson, 207 W. Main St., Henderson, TX 75652 or The Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701.Condolences may be made at www.crawfordacrim.com

Willie Mae Wade Freeman

April 30, 1922 - July 15, 2011