Sylvia A. Freeman

She may have stood 5’1’’ but she was larger than life. She was someone you could not ignore with her incredible fashion sense and a clear, strong voice. She loved travelling the world, shopping, dining out, and playing bridge. She loved her family, enjoyed her many friendships, and lived her life fully. She was always somebody special.

Sylvia Ann Freeman was born June 25, 1936 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Virgil L. Freeman, Sr. and Pearl E. Freeman. She was the second child born to their union, the older child being Virgil L. Freeman, Jr.

She was educated in the Indianapolis Public School system, graduating from Shortridge High School. When she was a senior at Shortridge, she was hired as a receptionist for Eli Lilly, becoming the first African American hired by the pharmaceuticals company as an office worker. She had moved to New York for a time following graduation and this stint at Eli Lilly. Sylvia was briefly married When she returned to Indianapolis, she was hired as a reservationist at Allegheny Airlines. One of the perks she received while

working for the airline is the ability to travel. She would get what were called “buddy passes”, which allowed her to invite a companion to fly with her. Oftentimes, her “buddies” were her own

parents. Through this perk, she became a world traveler. Her favorite destination was Tokyo, Japan.

In the late 1970s. Allegheny remade itself and became USAir. An opportunity opened for Sylvia to move into management, but she needed to get a bachelor’s degree. So, she enrolled at Martin College. She graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. She was promoted shortly thereafter and moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Sadly, while living in Pittsburgh, she was preceded in death by her three closest family members: brother Virgil, Jr (1986), father Virgil, Sr. (1988), and mother Pearl (1993). She moved back to Indianapolis and retired from USAir following the death of her mother. She had stopped traveling overseas.

Sylvia soon learned to play bridge. She made new friends and traveled within the United States a few times per year to play in bridge tournaments. She was a member of Witherspoon Presbyterian

Church. Throughout the years, Sylvia served the community by volunteering for many causes, giving her time to serve on numerous charitable boards.

Sylvia died peacefully on Thursday, July 8, 2021 at North Capitol Nursing and Rehabilitation. In addition to her immediately family, she was also preceded in death by her nephew, Tymon A. Freeman

Sr. of Indianapolis. She is survived by her nephew Jeffrey L. Freeman of Los Angeles, California, her niece Shelley L. Williams of Indianapolis, and four grandnephews Tymon A. Jr., Tyus A., and

Tyren A. Freeman of Shepherdsville, Kentucky and Noah I. Williams of Indianapolis.

In life, Sylvia was a positive, loving influence on her niece and nephews. In death, there is a deep sense of loss for those people who knew and loved her. There is also a deep sense of peace with

the knowledge that she is now in a different place, lovingly reunited with her family. She will surely be missed by family and friends.