FRANK MULHOLLAND - Daily Union Managing Editor
The famous American scientist, botanist, educator, and inventor, George Washington Carver, once said, ”How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because some day in life you will have been all of these.”
This story is about a lady, who according to friends and family, possessed all of those attributes. Rebecca (Becky) Freeman was many things to many people, but for those who knew her best, she was a compassionate, caring person who loved life to its fullest.
Becky, 60, finally succumbed to her battle with cancer on April 2, 2009. She left behind her husband of 37 years, John, her son Justin and his wife Brenda, and the love of her life, her grandson Will.
Becky served the community of Shelbyville in many different capacities but always followed her strong commitment to giving. Her main field of endeavor was in mental health issues. However, whether she was giving to the people with developmental disabilities, the elderly, or stray animals, she gave much of herself to others.
“She always had a special place for needy things whether that be animals, various projects, or people,” said John Freeman.
This story is prompted by one of her many passions and projects, the Historical Society of Shelby County.
On May 30 the Shelby County Historical Society honored Becky Freeman for her many years of faithful service. June McCain, past president of the Society, presented a plaque to the Freeman family in recognition of Becky’s many years of loyalty to the Society and especially for all the work she and her family put in to remodel the Lincoln Room.
McCain said when the State of Illinois started the “Looking for Lincoln” projects, the Historical Society began to collect a great deal of material pertaining to Lincoln in Shelby County.
“That is when we got the idea we would like to dedicate a room for Lincoln, and call it the Lincoln Room,” said McCain. “That is where she (Becky) got involved and she saw what we wanted to do and she just came in and did it.”
A plaque hangs in the Lincoln Room at the Historical Society which reads as follows: “The Lincoln Room Is Dedicated To The Memory Of Rebecca Ward Freeman 2009”.
As mentioned earlier in this article, Becky possessed a strong love of stray or wounded animals.
Robin Apple was one of the founders of the Shelby Humane Society and she said “Becky Freeman was one of the founders of the Humane Society and she had a great compassion for animals.”
John Freeman said whenever Becky found a wounded or sick animal she would try to get it back to health and find a home for it.
“We would spay or neuter it and give it all its shots and then find a home for it,” Freeman said. “She had great pride in that and received a lot of good rewards.”
Freeman went on to say they had running bills with just about every veterinarian from Sullivan to Taylorville.
Shelbyville Mayor Roy Shuff is a long time friend of the Freeman family. As Mayor he values volunteerism in Shelbyville.
“We in Shelbyville are truly blessed with so many wonderful volunteers who share their time and talents and Becky Freeman was certainly one of those who has given so much back to her community,” said Shuff.
Becky spent much of her working career helping people with developmental disabilities. She began working for the Shelby County Rehabilitation Center and later became their Director of Rehabilitation Services. She then worked as a consultant and grant writer before becoming the Director of Rehabilitation Services for the Christian County Mental Health Association. She later became a surveyor for the Commission of Accreditation Facilities (C.A.R.F.).
“She served on the Illinois Human Rights Commission,” John Freeman said.
After retiring from her rehabilitation duties she also worked in several different nursing homes helping the elderly before her illness slowed her down.
With her work as an advocate for persons with disabilities she inspired her son Justin to go into the same field.
Justin Freeman is Director of Clinical Services for the Moultrie County Beacon. That agency works with developmentally disabled clients also. He is the in-house counselor for that agency.
“My mom’s work experience was a very heavy influence on my career and life,” said Justin Freeman. “Between my mom and dad I developed a very strong respect for helping people.”
Becky will be missed by her family and friends as well as her community of Shelbyville.
