Annette Smith Freeman

Annette Smith Freeman was born September 4, 1941 in Fayette County, Al to the late Jesse Thurman and Ruby Dell Barnes Smith. She passed away June 8, 2024 at DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, Al

Annette is survived by her cousins, Courtney Rowland Nice (Adam) and Dr. Graham Rowland (Amber),

Cheri B Belk and their children; sister in law, Sidney Freeman Zaden (Stephen); niece, Jennifer Zaden Lewis (Scott); nephew, Matthew Zaden (Amanda); godchildren, Lora Walker Locklear and Dr. William Bradley Vice; step sister-in-love, Shelley Walker Hilton and her children.

Preceding Mrs. Freeman in death are her parents and her step mother, Hazel C. Hilton Smith; her husband of 57 years, Arnold Charles “Charley” Freeman; special first cousins, Diana Rowland (Hugh) and Danny Belk; step brother, James Thomas “Jim” Hilton; parents-in-law, Mary Frances Greer Freeman, AC Freeman and Sara McDowell Freeman.

Mrs. Freeman attended Fayette County Schools before moving to Birmingham and graduating from Woodlawn High School, Class of 1958, at the age of 16. She then attended Howard College (Samford University) earning her Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1961. She continued her education at The University of Alabama earning her Master’s Degree in Education, and an Administrative Certificate as a post graduate student. Annette taught in the Tuscaloosa City School System at Alberta Elementary School for 8 years. She then taught at Tuscaloosa Academy Lower School in the fourth grade until 1980 and then was promoted to Director/Administrator until her retirement in 1997.

Mrs. Freeman was a member of Alabama Reading Association, Alabama Association of Independent Schools, SACS Evaluation Accreditation Team, and was a NAIS school representative. Her honors include Kappa Delta Epsilon, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, AAIS Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Service and the establishment of the Annette Smith Freeman Alabama History Award given annually to a fourth grade student at Tuscaloosa Academy who exemplifies excellence in the study of Alabama History. She was the recipient of the Tuscaloosa Academy Lower School Faculty Appreciation Award in 1998.

Annette was very involved in her community. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Tuscaloosa since 2002 and was a member of the Artos Sunday School Class, Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary (Charter Member), the United Way of West Alabama, the American Heart Association and the Tuscaloosa Children’s Center for victims of crime. Before her membership at First United Methodist, she was previously a member of Forest Lake United Methodist Church for over 30 years.

The family would like to express special gratitude to her caregivers, Carolyn Maddox, Sherry Maddox, Carolyn Pack, Karen Mask and Dr. Brian Wilhite.

Celebration of Life Funeral Services will be held Saturday, June 15, 2024 beginning at 11:00 AM in the chapel of Memory Chapel Funeral Home, 2200 Skyland Blvd E Tuscaloosa, Al 35405. Interment will follow in Memory Hill Gardens. Rev. Clifton Hubbard will officiate services. Serving as pallbearers will be, Graham Rowland, Griffin Rowland,Tommy Smith, Matthews Zaden,Rick Gibson, Joel Lake and Scott Lewis. Honorary pallbearers are the students, faculty, staff, parents and the Administrative Board of Tuscaloosa Academy.