Martha Howell Freeman

Martha Howell Freeman, of Wilmington, died Friday March 6, 2009 at the home of her daughter and dedicated care-giver Mary Ailcey Welch in Salisbury, NC. Mrs. Freeman was born in Hamlet, NC, March 13, 1930, the youngest daughter of Jesse Hilton Howell and Mary Nettles Howell. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Earl Freeman, twin sister, Mary Howell Gower, sister Edna Howell Ritter and brother Jesse Hilton Howell, Jr. In addition to being a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Martha also enjoyed a successful work career, having worked as a financial secretary at the Hanna-Picket Textile Company in Rockingham, NC, and Registrar for Scotland County High School in Laurinburg, NC before retiring as the office administrator for the Mobile Oil Terminal in Wilmington, NC. She was active in numerous civic organizations and served as President of the Wilmington Pilot Club. She was also a member of the Eastern Star. She was a long time faithful member of Temple Baptist Church in Wilmington. She is survived by son, J.E. ""Jef"" Freeman, Jr. and wife Kay of Mint Hill, NC; daughter Mary Ailcey Freeman Welch and husband Steve of Salisbury, NC; and daughter Nanette Freeman Jones and husband Eddie of Hampstead, NC; also a sister, Marian Howell McInnis and husband Wade of Colfax, NC; sister-in-law Isabel Freeman Creech and husband Billy of Mint Hill, NC; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The love and comfort always found in Martha's kitchen will be missed by all. The funeral service will be held at 11 am Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at Temple Baptist Church by Rev. E.C. Mattocks. Interment will follow in Oleander Memorial Gardens where she will rest for eternity next to her beloved husband Earl, The family will receive friends Monday evening form 6 to 8 pm at Andrews Mortuary Valley Chapel, 4108 S. College Rd., Wilmington. The entire family wishes to thank al the friends that took time to visit with Martha and share themselves with her, with heartfelt thanks to special care-givers Natalie Shorter and Charlene Teasley. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County.