Ruth "Jean" Reinhart Freshley

A native of Naperville, Illinois, Mrs. Freshley was the daughter of the late Chester and Frieda Miller Reinhart and was preceded in death by daughter, Dina Freshley Wilson. She graduated from Naperville High School in 1946, from North Central College in 1950 with a BA, and from Lehigh University with a MA in Education in 1953.

Mrs. Freshley married Dr. Dwight Lowell Freshley on November 10, 1950. She taught middle school in Bethlehem, PA and Upper Arlington, OH. While her husband was at Vanderbilt University, Mrs. Freshley served on the executive committee of the Vanderbilt University Women’s Club.

Mrs. Freshley became a homemaker and mother to four children, serving as PTO president and also served as president of the Timothy Road Home Owners Association for many years. After her children were grown, she resumed teaching at Oconee Middle School, in reading and language arts for 15 years.

Mrs. Freshely enjoyed home decorating and landscaping, and oversaw the purchase, development, and maintenance of a non-profit residential development for adults with special needs. She was an accomplished cook, and when a meal was prepared the children and grandchildren came running.

Survivors include her husband of 63 years, Dwight Freshley; sons, Philip Freshley (Marilee) of Watkinsville, GA, Bruce Freshley (Martha) of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and Doug Freshley of Athens, GA, and grandchildren, Taylor Freshley (Morgan), Megan Freshley, Palmer Freshley, Hamilton Freshley, Sissy Freshley, and Leland Freshley.

Funeral services will be held 11AM Saturday, June 14th at First United Methodist Church in Athens, GA with Rev. Chuck Hodges officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6-8PM Friday, June 13th at Bernstein Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance, 6065 Roswell Rd, Suite 512, Atlanta, GA 30328 or to First United Methodist Church of Athens, 327 N. Lumpkin St, Athens, GA 30601.

Online and audio condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com

Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.