Margaret Vinson Freeman

Margaret Vinson Freeman, lovingly known as “Molly” or “Aunt Molly,”

was a servant child born on June 22, 1933, to the late Reverend Timothy

Vinson, Sr., and Sallie Litte Vinson in Leighton, Alabama. On August 23,

2023, she departed this life and went to be with the Lord.

Margaret grew up in a Christian home filled with spiritual values instilled in

her by her parents and older siblings. She accepted Christ at an early age and

was baptized in a creek by the late Reverend William Ford. It was a glorious

morning where the saints stood on the bank praising God. She joined Mt.

Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church where her forebearers, her grandfather

Reverend Silas Vinson and her father Reverend Timothy Vinson, Sr., served as

founding members and leaders in various capacities throughout the history of

the church. She served in various positions at the church including as a Sunday

School Teacher, Baptist Training Union Teacher, VBS Teacher, Assistant

Church Clerk, Matron, and a member of the Mothers of Zion.

Margaret was a graduate of Leighton Training School (LTS) in 1951. She

received her undergraduate education at Alabama A&M in Normal, Alabama.

She later received a Master’s of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from

Indiana University (IU) in Bloomington, Indiana. She taught school at

Cherokee High School and Webster Junior School. She retired from the

Lauderdale school system as a teacher at Lexington High School after 38 years

of service. She was a master teacher who was very devoted to her students, and

she loved teaching. Friends for life were made teachers, students, parents,

and other members of the community during her teaching career.

She was united in holy matrimony to the late Walter M. Freeman on June 15,

1972, for 50 years. Walter went to be with the Lord on January 15, 2023.

Margaret’s greatest sense of fulfillment was working outdoors in God’s soil

bringing forward flowers that warmed the hearts of family, friends, and even

strangers. Margaret’s “Garden of Eden” was displayed in the Times Daily in

2003, “The Lady with the Green Thumb.” She and Walter received numerous

plaques and awards for their beautiful Christmas Yard Display. They would

begin in October decorating outside. It was a joy that she and Walter shared

for many years. She was active in the community as a member of the AEA,

NEA, and Lauderdale County Retired Teachers Association. She was also a

member of Terry Chapter No. 599 Order of Eastern Star where she served as

secretary for 35 years.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by four

brothers, Nathaniel, Thomas, John, and Ausber Vinson; three sisters, Matilda

Vinson King, Gertha Whiteside, and Annie Torain; two stepsons, Walter

Freeman, Jr., and David Freeman; one step grandson, Curtis Freeman; and

sister-in-law, Dora Jean Vinson.

She leaves to cherish her memory: one brother, Timothy Vinson,

Jr., of Sheffield, Alabama; one sister, Cleopatra V. Brooks (Berkeley) of

Hillsboro, Alabama; one step-granddaughter, Carla (Jacob), Goerhich;

step-grandchildren, Kenji (Dominique) and Miya Freeman of Elgin, South

Carolina; loving and devoted niece, Rochelle Vinson; and a host of nieces,

nephews, other family, and friends.

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