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Gloria Marybell Freeman


Sunrise: January 9, 1926

Sunset: February 12, 2021
Gloria Marybell Freeman (affectionately called “Mother” by all) entered Heaven’s Gate on February 12, 2021.  Mother’s story starts on January 9, 1926, the oldest child to the late Woodson and Eunice Robinson.  She lived most of her life in Norfolk, VA, before relocating to live with her granddaughter Kim and husband Donnie in Boyds, MD.
Mother’s marriages to the late Dewey McCoy Edwards and the late William Russell Freeman, Sr. unions bore six children.   She attended the Norfolk Public School system and worked for Stevenson Uniforms.  She was a member of Faith Community Church.  She knew God’s word and the word was in her heart.
Mother lived a good and full life.  She was a strong and amazing woman with a big servant heart.  A woman that rarely cared much about herself; a dedicated mother and grandmother first and foremost.  She treasured her children and grandchildren and embraced every moment with them.  Proud and honored to be the Matriarch, she cultivated a beautiful and strong family.
Mother had a fun-loving personality making people laugh around her and a big spirit that could be fierce at times.  She was a remarkable cook and shared her love with cooking and baking by preparing meals for family and friends.  Over the years she collected a library of cookbooks.  She loved listening to gospel music, watching TV Classics, Cooking Shows and Shopping Channels (her favorite QVC).
Her interest and hobbies were reading the bible, doing word search books, and crocheting.   She attended classes to learn to play the keyboard and cake decorating to perfect her decorating skills.  Mother loved to talk, very sociable, and at family gatherings enjoyed the opportunity to get up and shake a leg dancing.
In addition, Mother is predeceased by her sisters; Dorothy LaMarr Washington and Jacqueline Eunice Brown, her cousin, Elizabeth Colden Farrow, her sons; Ray LaMarr Edwards, Sr., William Russell Freeman, Sr., and Bernard Woodson Edwards, Sr., her daughters; Gloria Marilyn Edwards Ervin and Maxine Freeman Gary, and grandsons; Troy LaMarr Edwards and William Russell Freeman, III.  She leaves to cherish her memories, one son, Dewey Gene Romero Edwards; two daughters, Denise Cheryl Casey (Ronnie) and Lori “Tina” Freeman Scott; her grandchildren; Marlene Freeman Daniels, Sarina Freeman, Troy L. Edwards, Dana S. Conley, Glenn T. Edwards, Tracy P. Edwards, Traci L. Edwards, Cheryl Castellanos, Kevin McCoy, Ray L. Edwards Jr., Rayshawn F.  Edwards-Satchell, Tamika R. Edwards-Otto, Candice R. Edwards, Dawn M. Hill-Trotman, Bernard W. Edwards, Jr., Kyle R. Edwards, Kim J. Ervin-Fairley, Karen J. Ervin-Campbell, Neisha R. Casey, Ronnie Casey, Jr., Shaakira M. Scott, Daarina J. Scott and Quadree C. Scott and a host of great and great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
No Public Viewing Service WATCH SERVICE LIVE ONLINE Monday, March 1, 2021 11:00am Metropolitan Funeral Service Granby Chapel Interment Roosevelt Memorial Park 1101 Campostella Road Chesapeake, VA 23320 The family is following the CDC and State of Virginia guidelines for funeral attendance.

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Condolences(13)

  1. reply
    Rev. Dr. James Edwards, lll says

    My wife, Rev. Dee and I are praying for my cousins and other family members of Gloria Maybell Edwards Freeman. Aunt Gloria was my paternal aunt and my last surviving aunt or uncle on both sides of my family. God blessed her with ninety-five years far surpassing the eighty years , if by reason of strength. May she rest in peace and be remembered as a kind woman of God.
    Rev. Dr. James ” Screwball ” Edwards, lll
    Retired Pastor

  2. reply
    Denise Cheryl says

    “THOSE WE LOVE DO NOT GO AWAY, THEY WALK BESIDE US EVERYDAY.
    UNSEEN, UNHEARD BUT ALWAYS NEAR,
    SO LOVED, SO MISSED, SO VERY DEAR.”

    Mother, I will miss your sweet gentle voice. When I’d call you on the phone, I’d say; “Hello Mother”, and you would sweetly ask; “CHeerrRYL, is that you?”

    My mother was so much fun and dearly loved. She enjoyed her family just as much as we enjoyed her. God blessed her to see four generations of family; we kept her forever young at heart. We always loved her giggles, dancing and singing -what a joy she always brought! Dear Mother, I know I’ll meet you again…but in eternal peace where there is no fear of death. Rest In Christ’s Love! Rest In Paradise! Until we meet again. Love you, Cheryl ❤

  3. reply
    Darlene Rainey says

    My prayers are with Tina ,Kim &Donny ,Dawn uncle Beard and the entire family! I pray that God comfort you all with the peace of God ! For we know to be absent from the body is to be present with the lord !Take your rest mom & Grandma !

  4. reply
    Marlene Freeman says

    ❤ There’s A Quiet Strength ❤In The Gentleness Of Love❤
    ❤That Brings Comfort To The Sorrowing Heart❤

  5. reply
    Tanya Johnson says

    Condolences to the Freeman Family. Its been a long time since we’ve seen the Freeman Family. The memories from 29th Street will always be treasured. May you Rest in Paradise Mrs. Freeman.
    The Thompson Family….

  6. reply
    Dr. Edward R Shambry says

    May the peace, love, and comfort of Almighty God be with you in this time of bereavement, dear family. The 91st Psalm tells us this message from God: “Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.” (stanzas14-16), Sleep in the arms of Jesus, Aunt Gloria,

  7. reply
    Romona Minns (Holliday) says

    Mother or Aunt Gloria,as I sometimes call you both, as you was my aunt first and the grand mother of my first born,Ray Jr. The times that we spent together living two doors apart on twenty-ninth street will always be cherish. You will be missed. Loving you always Mother/Aunt Gloria. REST IN PEACE.

  8. reply
    Maha Czapary says

    Dear friend Karen,
    My thoughts and prayers are with you and all the family as five generations come together to honor your grandmother and celebrate her life on this earthly plane. I am sorry I did not have a chance to meet Grandma Gloria, but I caught a glimpse of her pure and radiant heart and her love for her family through you, dear Karen.
    May the Almighty Lord engulf her in His love and grace, and may you find comfort and solace in prayer and joyful memories.

    “O Son of Man!
    Sorrow not save that thou art far from Us. Rejoice not save that thou art drawing near and returning unto Us. “

  9. reply
    Diamond D says

    Grandma, I will miss you so much. I was blessed to know you for 27 years of my life. You were the first and only person to discipline me with a switch (lol)!! You were so funny and always found a way to be silly with all of your grandchildren. I learned so much from you and I’ll always cherish this in my heart and spirit.

    The last time we spoke, I asked “Grandma, how are you doing?” and you said “the best I can for an old lady”. You always said that and it reminds me to stay positive everyday no matter what adversity I may face.

    I honor my Great Grandmother Gloria. She paved the way for 50+ people. She also grew up in some of the most challenging and painful times in history. I’ll never get to ask this, but how did you do it?! Your strength will always inspire me and I’ll forever carry on your legacy of love, life, prayer, and grace.

    I love you Grandma Gloria! Sending all my love and until we meet again!

    ~ Your Great Granddaughter, Diamond D.

  10. reply
    Kim & Griffin Family says

    Jehovah God offers a hope for for anyone who dies at Revelation 21:3, 4. God will wipe out every tear from eyes & death will be no more, neither mourning nor outcry nor pain be anyone. However, the sting and pain of missing our love ones is what we feel now. I know Aunt Gloria was absolutely the sister my Mother looked up to. They were two peas in a pod. My mom (Aunt Peaches) definitely had confidence in the promise to live again. We miss her very much. It’s those promises in the Bible that helps us all to deal with the loss of our love ones.

  11. reply
    Dorothy Williams says

    Aunt Gloria you were in a class all by yours self I will truly miss talking to you on the most of the time I would say something you didn’t want to hear your favorite saying was Dottie you are a mess. To the family auntie is safely in the arms of Jesus, may God comfort you in your time of sorrow. “Till we reach that distance shore and we shed a tear no more God, give us strength to endure till we meet again”.

  12. reply
    Lori "Tina" Freeman Scott says

    Mother ~ it is very difficult knowing that I will not have you here with me, I had to summons your strength to even write a condolence to you, my heart is broken into pieces.

    If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane. I would walk right up to Heaven and bring you back again. No farewell words were spoken, no time to say goodbye. You were gone before I knew it, and only God knows why. My heart still aches with sadness, and secret tears still flow. What it meant to love you – no one can ever know. I know you wouldn’t want me to mourn for you no more; and to remember all the happy times life still has much in store. You will never, ever be forgotten, so I pledge to you today, a hollowed place within my heart is where you’ll always stay. Rest in Heaven, cradle in the arms of Jesus

    Love your Daughter, Tina

  13. reply
    Aariana Brown says

    Great grandma it’s me Ari, I know you’re doing a great job as an Angel helping God. I love and miss you heaven is a better place to live and I know you are watching me and smiling while I type this.

    Love Aariana

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