Marilyn Romieux Freeman of Amherst, County, Virginia passed away April 11, at age 90 after years long battles with a variety of medical issues. She faced and fought them nobly. Marilyn is survived by her five children: Mike Jeannie , Steve, Jeanne, Kriss, Philip Pam , eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband Dean and daughter in law Ann Freeman. Marilyn quickly became Mickey when a relative believed she favored the famous mouse when Mickey wore a certain pair of fluffy bedroom slippers.
Though she was born during The Great Depression, her father was a talented businessman, and the family enjoyed a comfortable life. While away at St. Mickey and Dean enjoyed participating in plays, playing cards and within a year they would marry. Dean secured a job with a paper company in Greenville , SC where they bought a home and started a family - Michael was born in Perhaps their home was getting small.
Could be the pace in Lynchburg was more than Mickey and Dean were accustomed. Possibly - it was a bit of fate⦠One fall day in the six Freemans went to an apple orchard in Amherst County.
In addition to getting apples, they discovered a home for rent on the apple farm. The home was certainly big enough, there was but one other home and family the Girlings - as far as neighbors go - and Mickey and Dean were amazed at the open space for four children to run and play and discover the outdoors along with farm life.
By the end of the year Mickey and Dean planted their family on Speed-the Plough Farm and family remains there today. While Jeanne might have preferred city life - Mickey enjoyed raising her family in the foothills of the Blue Ridge, at the base of Tobacco Row Mt. During summers you might put all those kids together and not find one with an entire outfit. No seat belts, no car seats, there were cheap Styrofoam coolers, stale food and no one complained. Mickey played a bit of bridge, participated in the Ladies of Charity circle at Holy Cross, was a girl scout leader, sang in the church choir, and shopped for groceries once a month and kept the household fed.
