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Obituary For Virginia Free
Mrs. Virginia Lorena Wilkins Free was born on February 13, 1936 to the late Walter and Whitney Jackson Wilkins as the fourth child among five siblings. Reared in the church with a foundation of faith, love, and strong family values, she graduated as Valedictorian from Fosters Grove High School in Chesnee, SC. During her formative years, she spent summers in Washington D.C., as one of the first African American retail clerks at S. H. Kress & Co. department store. Despite being offered a scholarship to Clark Atlanta University, she chose to marry her true love, Joe Free, Jr., at the age of 18, setting the course for a life intensely focused on the wellbeing of her family.
Together, they nurtured a loving family of six children, setting a profound example of unity and devotion that continues to resonate within their expansive family circle today. Known affectionately as Joe & Ginny, they shared an inseparable bond, working side by side throughout their marriage at various companies, including Abbott Laboratories and Phillip Fibers. From commuting together to sharing daily lunches, their partnership was a testament to enduring companionship until Joe Free, Jr.'s passing on September 4, 2012, after 57 years of marriage. They reared their children as members of Holden Chapel Missionary Baptist Church where Virginia was an active member of the Women’s Missionary and Birthday clubs.
Virginia was known for her radiant smile, warm spirit, and generous heart. She was unwavering in her commitment to help others, ensuring that her home was always open to neighbors and extended family seeking a comforting meal. A faithful warrior for her family, she instilled in them a steadfast dedication to excellence in all endeavours. She cherished family travel and took joy in hosting gatherings, always with the condition that her home be left as spotless as it was found.
In her passing, she joins her beloved Mother and Father, Walter and Whitney Jackson Wilkins, her true love, Joe Free, Jr., her in laws, Joe and Mamie Free Sr., her siblings, Hattie Thompson Hilton, Doctor Spurgeon Wilkins, and Nellie Wilkins Mallory and a circle of close family and friends.
Mrs. Virginia leaves a cherished legacy carried on by her six children and their spouses: Terry and Ruth Free of Spartanburg, SC; Brenda and Jacob Jenkins of Columbia, SC; Phillip and Lynda Free of Spartanburg, SC; Jonita and Bradford Kemp of Moore, SC; Lorena and Jesse Prioleau of Inman, SC; and Vicky and Dr. Christopher Sistrunk of Hilton Head, SC. She is also survived by her sister, Patricia Landrum Davis of Spartanburg, SC; her sister-in-law, Elease Dodd of Boiling Springs, SC; fifteen grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; two bundles of joy on the way, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a community of friends who will forever treasure her memory.
Virginia Lorena Wilkins Free lived a life marked by genuine kindness, boundless love, and an enduring legacy of family unity. Her presence will be profoundly missed and her spirit will forever inspire those who were fortunate to know her.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Holden Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Boiling Springs, SC. Dr. B. D. Snoddy will officiate. Burial will be in the Good Shepherd Memorial Park, Boiling Springs, SC.
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James Lamont Anderson sent Peace & Serenity Dishgarden for Virginia Free - July 03, 2024
With much love and prayers/ James Anderson
Sweet Moments was sent for Virginia Free - July 03, 2024
Dr James K Calhoun sent Peace Lily for Virginia Free - July 02, 2024
Dear Vicky and Family:
You have my deepest condolences.
Sincerely, Dr. James "Kevin" Calhoun
Theresa Polly sent The Peace Lily for Virginia Free - July 02, 2024
My heartfelt condolences to the Free family. Ms. Jenny was such a sweet and humble spirit. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Theresa Polly
Rebecca Nelson sent Beautiful Dreams for Virginia Free - July 02, 2024
CJ & Family, Our sincere condolences on the loss of your Grandma Virginia. May your fond memories bring you peace during this time. Ted, Jay & your Target Family
Blessings Bouquet was sent for Virginia Free - July 02, 2024
Serene Lily Basket was sent for Virginia Free - July 02, 2024
Brenda And Jacob our thoughts of prayers are with you and your family during this time of loss. May the peace of God rest upon you a d give you peace. May your memories always bring you joy
My Condolences To The Free Family & Friends
Linda Askari
To the Free family please accept my deepest condolences
Frankie Fowler
My heart aches for you and your family during this time of loss. Your mother's life was a true blessing and her memory will forever be a source of inspiration. Doris J. Boozer
Our sincere sympathy for the passing of your very sweet Mother.
Donnie & Jean Perkins Blackley
Mama Free will be missed. Though our souls are heavy with grief, we are grateful for the loving moments and the experience of knowing such a wonderful, kind soul. Mama Free has been a blessing to our lives. Family, our thoughts and prayers are with you today and always. Regena and Eric
Brenda, Jacob and the entire Free family, we offer our sincerest condolences. Our prayer is that God grants you all peace that passes all understanding and the strength to make it through this difficult time.
Daryl & Jolanda Sulton Zeola Jacobs
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Darrell & Sandra Hollis
I met Mrs. Virginia and her husband Mr. Joe about 20 years ago when myself and my family joined Holden Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. She and her family became instant friends and not long after that Mr. Free passed when I went to see her she and I had a long conversation about the old days and she said Vanessa I just Love you and you and are just the sweetest Pea in the Pod do not change for anyone. Those words stuck to me like glue because you will never know who is paying attention to what GOD has gifted you with. About a month ago her daughter asked me would I do a video of me singing OOH WEE ANOTHER BLESSING.I said I sure will right before I recorded it I started to cry because I had no idea that me singing that song touched her heart like that. I am so grateful that she saw past me to hear the gift that God has given me and I am so grateful I had the opportunity to share that gift with you. Mrs. Virginia Lorena Wilkins Free OOH WEE I've been blessed in so many ways to have known you. you have been a blessing to me and the angels in HEAVEN has signed your name please tell my Mom and Dad hello for me. I love you and you are the sweetest pea in the pod. I will miss you
Ms. Free was such a beautiful and classy lady! Heaven has gained an angel!
A beautiful soul has gone to her heavenly home. The last I saw Mrs. Free, was in Laughlin, Nevada with her beautiful daughters boarding a plane to return to Charlotte, NC airport. She was very special to my family in many ways. A friend to my Aunt Marion, and her kids were friends with me and my cousins. Then another generation connected. She will be missed dearly. I always loved her Beautiful smile and friendly words. To know her was to love her. Take your rest! To her kids and extended family I send my deepest heartfelt condolences.
Joeann Hackett Charlotte NC
What an angel! Even while here on Earth, Ms. Virginia was sunshine on a cloudy day...she and my mom loved each other like sisters...i always felt warm and fuzzy while in her presence...that smile, though! Such a beautiful, genuine, loving lady...you will be missed terribly...my deepest condolences to Mamie and the rest of her loving family...I'm so sorry.
Wilma Jackson Moore
Condolences to the family 💐. The last time I seem Mrs. Free got her praise on when the choir was singing: "You fight on ". She made my day 💕Mary Rogers.
Heaven has gain an heavenly angel, sweet lady her smile gng opened up gates of heaven....The wrenix family
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