Virginia Freeman

Virginia Gloria Banks Smith Freeman passed from this life on Friday, April 19, 2013 at her home at Remington House in Conyers, GA. She was 92 and died peacefully in the arms of her granddaughter.Virginia was born and grew up in Atlanta, the daughter of the late Frank K. and Mary Hanna Banks. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years Charles S. Smith Jr. and her husband of 8 years,Lewis M. Freeman who died on March 16. She attended Hampton Dubose Academy in Florida and graduated from Girls High School in Atlanta. She attended Columbia Bible College, Creighton’s Business College and resumed her education later at DeKalb College. A lifelong musician, Virginia served as pianist and/or organist at several Atlanta area churches, including as pianist at Lithonia First Baptist Church. Her faith was of primary importance to her and she was active in churches as Sunday school teacher, youth leader, and retreat and event organizer. Known for her creativity, she wrote and performed piano/monologue programs for civic clubs, church groups, and nursing homes, with such aliases as Theodosia Snodgrass from Chitlin Switch, GA, Betty Boop, and Minnie Pearl. During WWII, she played for the troops and wounded at Ft. McPherson. In 1996, Virginia was chosen as a Merit Mother and nominee for Georgia Mother of the Year. Always involved in community work, Virginia was on the planning committee of the Nancy Guinn Library in Conyers, chairing the architectural committee. She served on the Conyers/Rockdale Library System board for 10 years as chairman, vice-chairman, and treasurer and as chairman of the Conyers-Rockdale Library Foundation and was a founding member of the Rockdale Arts Council. She was President of the Conyers Sinawik (Kiwanis auxiliary) before women were accepted as members in Kiwanis and made significant community contributions as officer, committee chair, or member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization, American Guild of Organists, Christian Woman Club, Lake Capri Women’s Club, and Atlanta Music club. She and her husband Charles were among the co-founders of the Flying Rebels, a club of private pilots. While never seeking political office herself, she was very active as an active campaigner for candidates in whom she believed, and served as “first lady” as wife of the Rockdale County Commission Chairman. She also served as a delegate to the GA Republican Convention. Virginia is survived by children, Sondra and Jerry VanSant, and Charlene and Dan Scarborough; grandchildren Kenon and Julie White, Angela White, Brett and Ashley White, Laura Van Sant, Kevin VanSant and Alice Tien; brother-in-law Barney and Angie Moore; and four great-grandchildren. Survivors also include the children of her late husband, Lewis -- Lewis and Diane Freeman, Doug Freeman, and Elizabeth and Johnny Carter,Cindy Cupt and Steve Layden, and their children. A Memorial Service will be held at Lithonia First Baptist Church on Monday, April 22, at 2:00 PM with the Rev. Harold Greer and Dr. Jim Martin officiating. The family will receive visitors at Scot-Ward Funeral Services on Sunday, April 21 from 4 to 6 pm. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be sent to the Shepherd Center, 2020 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30309 or the American Cancer Society, 250 Williams Street, Atlanta, GA 30303.

Virginia Freeman

September 10, 1920 - April 19, 2013