Edna Freeman

Posted: Wednesday, January 9, 2013 4:00 pm

The Messenger, January 9, 2013
Edna B. “Belle” Freeman, 70, a resident of Union City, died Dec. 26, 2012, at her home.
A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m. Saturday at Exchange Street Church of Christ in Union City, with visitation to begin at noon at the church.
White-Ranson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
The family requests that memorials be made to Wings Cancer Foundation, 100 North Humphreys Blvd., Memphis, TN 38120 or http://www.wingscancerfoundation.org/; American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 or http://www.cancer.org; or Obion County Hometown Walk of Hope, P.O. Box 482, Union City, TN 38281.
She was born Aug. 6, 1942, in Union City, daughter of the late Raymond A. and Sallie Belle (Perkins) Freeman.
She was a member of Vine Street Church of Christ in Union City.
A 1960 graduate of the former Miles High School in Union City, she was a star basketball player and a member of the school band. She attended Tennessee State University in Nash-ville and later enjoyed and began her profession as a nurse at the former Obion County General Hospital, which led to her career in healthcare administration with the former Beverly Enterprises. The facility won several E-awards during her tenure.
She continued her career and education in management and was a 1991 cum laude graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin School of Business. Upon graduation, she taught classes at Franklin College.
In 1994, she began work for the Community Services Agency as the health administrator for the Department of Corrections and, afterward, for the State of Tennessee with the Department of Children’s Services.
She worked from the central office in Nashville with the Department of Diversity Initiatives and as the Title VI program manager for the DCS.
While working for the Department of Diversity Initiatives and as the Title VI program manager, she was responsible for implementing and improving the statewide program for federal compliance with Title VI, utilizing  computer-based training, brochures and regional training.
She enjoyed traveling to the many regions of the State of Tennessee and meeting many people while teaching the importance of the program.
She was also responsible for the annual state-wide implementation plan for the Department of Children’s Services for federal compliance and for making it a model for other state agencies.
She retired from her second career after 18 years of service in August 2012.
She is survived by her daughter, Tracye (Freeman) Valentine of Union City; her grandson, Edmond A. Valentine of Union City; her nephew and his wife, Darrell R. and Misty Freeman of Union City; and many adopted children, extended family and friends, whom she loved dearly.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Charles R. Freeman.
Condolences may be sent to the family at the funeral home website: www.white-ranson.com.