Viola Campbell Freeman, wife, mother, grandmother and adventurer, passed away peacefully on September 16 surrounded with the love of her family and her many friends.
Viola was 98 years old and lived a life full of love, challenges and adventures. She had a fierce love for her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She had an unwavering faith in the saving grace and love of Jesus Christ.
Born in 1926 to G.W. and Amanda Campbell, she grew up and flourished in the small Eastern Kentucky mountain town of Corbin. Viola was proud of her Campbell heritage and was so pleased when family research presented to the Campbell Clan heritage center notified her that she was in fact a member of Clan Campbell. She wore her Campbell plaid proudly.
Viola met her true love, Delmas Freeman, at Eastern Kentucky University where Viola was a student and Delmas was resuming his college studies and football life after he returned from WW2 when Delmas asked to carry her books and walk her back to the dorm. Viola was fond of saying that they started walks together then and kept walking together for 54 years until Delmas’ death in 2010. Her family is sure that she and Delmas are again walking together.
Viola was a trail blazer during her lifetime. She taught Home Economics in the coal mining town of Hazard, Ky., she ran her own baking business during the time her three children were young; she returned to teaching when she and Delmas and the children moved to Georgia, where Delmas had accepted a football coaching appointment.
After moving to Atlanta, Georgia, she continued her studies to achieve her Master’s and 6 yr degree in what is now known as Environmental Sciences from the University of Georgia. She was most proud of developing a Science Program for Jr. High students that focused on hands on learning combined with problem solving thinking and skills. She was named teacher of the year for Hall County, Georgia, and the Teacher of the Year for the State of Georgia. She was active in the Georgia Education Association and was a leading advocate for improving and maintaining teacher salaries and benefits.
Later in life Viola became a successful artist of oil on canvas. She did private commissions, exhibited for many years at the Black Swamp Arts festival, Pyramid Hills art festival and art shows in the Atlanta area. She joined a group of Vogue Knitters and traveled the world with her fellow knitters. The last weekend of her life she had the joy of wheeling around the Black Swamp Arts Festival, reconnecting with artist friends and soaking up the creative atmosphere.
She was so proud of her children, sons Mac (Sue) and Rod (Robin) Freeman and daughter Sharon (Steve) Libby. She enjoyed the company and exploits of her grandchildren, Sean (Kristin), Mckinley, Nola (Megan), Jill, Nathan (Tricia), and Stefanie (Jason) and Lindsey, Nick (Sarah), Brycn and Brody. Her great-grandchildren, Ethan, Paige, Katie and Xander gave her great joy as she followed their growth and their own adventures.
Memorial gifts can be made to: P.E.O. Chapter EJ (c/o Sharon Libby, Treasurer Chapter EJ, 618 Rosewood Drive. Bowling Green, Ohio) or First United Methodist Church of Bowling Green Ohio.
Visitation for Viola will be held on September 28, 2024 at First United Methodist Church of Bowling Green from 10:30 until the time of her service at 11. A luncheon follow the service in the fellowship hall.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Deck-Hanneman Funeral Home, Bowling Green. www.hannemanfuneralhomes.com.
