Freida S. Freeman

Freida Sanders Freeman died peacefully on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at the age of 93.

Freida was born in Mercer County, Kentucky, on May 26, 1931, to Hillary Sanders and Myrtie D. Yeast Sanders.

She cherished her memories of growing up in Mercer County and the many relatives she knew there. In 1937, her family moved to Louisville, arriving just as the city was inundated with the historic flood.

Freida attended Shawnee High School and later the University of Louisville, where she earned a B.A. in Education to pursue her goal of becoming a schoolteacher. She went on to teach elementary and middle school in the Louisville and Jefferson County school systems for 32 years. She especially loved teaching sixth grade. Throughout her career, Freida taught with joy and enthusiasm, energized by her students, her natural curiosity, and her quick mind. She loved watching her students succeed and often shared stories from her days in the classroom.

Freida retired from teaching in 1988. She was an active member of the Kentucky Retired Teachers Association and the Jefferson County Retired Teachers Association. Her community involvement also included membership in the American Association of University Women, the Daughters of the Union (Cyrus Grable Chapter), and the Daughters of the American Revolution (Fincastle Chapter), where she served as Regent. She was also a member the Louisville Woman’s Club. At St. Matthews Baptist Church, Freida taught the Ruth Bible Class for senior ladies. She was a longtime subscriber to Actors Theatre of Louisville.

Freida was devoted to her family and took great joy in watching her grandchildren grow into adulthood. She also had many good friends, whom she loved to entertain in her home. In her later years, she hosted frequent “Board Meetings” in her living room—gatherings of neighbors and friends to share a beverage and laugh together about the absurdities of modern times. After moving to Nazareth Home in September, Freida continued to enjoy visits from family and friends.

A voracious reader of biographies and historical novels, Freida shared her passion for reading with everyone around her. She loved wordplay and authentic old Kentucky turns of phrase. As a true lexophile, she delighted in the etymology and meaning of words and loved crossword puzzles, Scrabble, and Wordle. A proud Kentuckian and devoted historian, Freida spent many hours researching her family’s deep roots in the state.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 69 years, Homer Charles Freeman, Jr. She is survived by her daughters, Kathy Ostermiller and husband Peter of Louisville, and Nancy Brown and husband Bill of Houston, Texas; granddaughter Beth Ostermiller Whitsel and husband Austin of Baltimore, Maryland; grandsons Michael Brown of Houston, and Steven Brown and wife Jessica Hsiang of San Jose, California; and great-grandson Finn Whitsel of Baltimore. She is also survived by her brother Lee Sanders and sister-in-law Patricia of Prospect; sister-in-law Louise Freeman of Louisville; niece Lisa Freeman of Louisville; nephew John Freeman of Colorado; and many cousins.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated caregivers of Senior Helpers for their many years of devoted and exceptional care for Freida. A special thank you as well to Nazareth Home Highlands, where Freida received outstanding care in her final months. She truly felt safe, respected, and at peace there.

She will be dearly missed and fondly remembered.

For those who wish to honor Freida’s memory with a charitable donation, the family suggests the American Association of University Women (AAUW).

Visitation will be held at Arch L. Heady at Resthaven, 4400 Bardstown Rd., Louisville KY 40218 from 12- 2 PM on May 16, 2025 with a funeral service to follow at 2 PM. A reception will follow the service at Arch L. Heady at Resthaven event room.

Please visit us online at www.archlheadyresthaven.com