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Obituary for JULIA GERTRUDE FREELAND
Julia Gertrude Freeland was born in Calvert County, Maryland on July 28, 1934 to the late James and Queenie Riggs. She was the eldest of 5 siblings. She was educated in the Calvert County Public School System and later received her GED.
At the age of 19, she gave her life to Christ, and was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ at Bethel Way of the Cross Church under the leadership of the late Bishop Jacob Green and later received the precious gift of the HOLY GHOST. Over the years, she loved to fellowship with Holy Temple Church of Christ pastored by the late Bishop Joseph Weathers. In November of 1954, she was joined in holy matrimony to Alvin William Freeland, Sr. They were the proud parents of three children.
Julia was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoyed cooking, baking, crocheting, and being creative with her arts and crafts. While attending cosmetology classes, she enjoyed doing hair for everyone. She was also an author and a composer. During her younger years at Bethel, she would render a trumpet selection. She was known for her sweet potato pies and pound cakes. She also enjoyed cooking Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners until Clark and Saunders took over the holiday traditions. She supported her husband in farming tobacco and their school bus business. During the early years, she was one of his drivers. She was a loving, caring, and a spiritually humble woman of God.
Julia walked a different walk than most people. Her main purpose in life was to live Holy so she may go to heaven to be with the Lord Jesus Christ. Julia loved singing for the Lord. She was often asked to sing at church programs and other events. Her favorite songs are “How Great Thou Art” and “It Took a Miracle.” When she would sing, the Holy Ghost would have her lean all the way back until her hair would almost touch the floor and she would spring forth and the power of God would fall. She touched many souls with her singing. Julia enjoyed driving family members and friends to church. She was an advocate in the community and a mender of broken hearts. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren and supporting their school activities. One of her greatest joys was spending time and babysitting for her granddaughter, Lalita “Lita” Gardner. They shared a very special bond.
Julia enjoyed her relationship with her extended families and friends, just to name a few: the late Sis. Alice Plater and her family, Sis. Willa Mae Plater, Bro. Morris and Sis. Helen Spriggs, Sis. Clarisa Brooks, Sis. Emma Easton, the late Sis. Ruth Graham, Dolores Jones and family, and Sis. Jasmine Nance and family. She also, develop a wonderful relationship with her cousin Sis. Casaundra Easton and family while working in their home. The children look forward to seeing her, so they would intentionally leave the house messy to make sure she returned. Julia also held a special place in her heart for Rory Harrod, Michael Morsell, and Tyrone Plater (Rock).
In March 2014, Julia was hospitalized and later diagnosed with spinal cancer. She suffered unbearable pains and often said she felt the pain that Jesus suffered (but she had medications and Jesus received none). She talked about how grateful and appreciative she was to have Mud as a provider and husband. She thanked her daughter, Saunders for being devoted and attentive to her special needs. They often expressed their love for each other. “I LOVE U MOM.” Her son Clark was by her side communicating with the doctors and nurses caring for her comfort. When she would awake from her deepest sleep, she would say “My Family is Here!” “WE LOVE U MOM.” On Sunday, June 1, 2014, she peacefully departed this life. This devout woman of God stayed determined to finish her course. She fought a good fight and never complained.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Phyllis Johnson and Sylvia Sullivan. She leaves to cherish her memories, her devoted husband, Alvin “Mud” Freeland, Sr.; two sons, Clark Sollers (Audrey), Alvin “Bunny” Freeland, Jr., her daughter, Saunders “Sandy Mandy” Freeland and step-daughter, Sandra Tyler (Harold); nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Lowell Riggs (Regina) and Charles Riggs (Yvonne); her uncle Wilford Jones; brother-in-law, Carroll Johnson, Sr.; sisters-in-laws, Myrtle Williams and Thelma Freeland; godson, Rory Harrod; adopted daughters, Robin, Stephanie, Joyce, Linda, and Robbin; adopted sons, Robert, Stephen, Eric, Kevin, Corey, Darryl, Jerald, Tyrone; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.
