Obituaries

Patsy Bennett Freemyer

Photo of Patsy Bennett Freemyer
Patsy Ann Bennett Freemyer completed her earthly journey and slipped quietly from this world on Wednesday, April 22, 2015. She will best be remembered as a difference maker to her family, her students, the community of Helena-West Helena and her church. She was married to the love of her life, Wesley Neal Freemyer, for almost 62 years. They began their lifelong partnership together in 1953 after graduating from Hendrix College. Pat approached every task, role, relationship or obstacle with dignity, grace and her ever present smile. Her passion for teaching influenced decades of both students and educators. Pat was a trailblazer for issues centering on equality, advocacy and mission. She provided exemplary leadership for United Methodist Women and the United Methodist Church locally in Helena and through service at the Conference, Jurisdictional and Global levels. Perhaps Pat's greatest accomplishments centered around service, including Terrific Tuesday, an after-school tutoring program she founded and directed, Lenten Listening, a community-wide devotional series that she championed and the countless students that she influenced to pursue higher education from Phillips County. Pat instilled in her children and grandchildren a sense of wonder about the world, a love of reading, the importance of hospitality, kindness to all and generosity of spirit. She was greeted in heaven by her two sons, Richard Wayne Freemyer and Kenneth Wesley Freemyer. Her legacy in this world will be joyfully carried on by her daughters, Norma Edmonds Hargraves (Bev Hargraves and Simon Ortiz), Patti Freemyer Martin (John, Ellen and Bennett Martin) and Emily Freemyer Atkins (Charlie Atkins; Mary Michael, Matthew, Joseph, Nicholas and Anne Henry Maggio). Memorials made be made to the Helena United Methodist Church, 502 Porter Street, Helena, Ark. 72342 or to Hendrix College, 1600 Washington Avenue, Conway, Ark. 72032. A graveside service for Pat Freemyer will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 25, 2015 at Sunset Memorial Park in West Helena. Following the graveside service, a Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. at Helena United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 5-7 p.m. at Roller-Citizens Funeral Home in West Helena. Services will be directed by Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, (870) 572-2571. Relatives and friends may sign the online guest book at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/westhelena.

Published April 24, 2015

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