Grace Elizabeth Whidden Freeland

Grace Elizabeth Whidden Freeland of Lake Wales died Sunday morning, Sept. 28, at her home following a long battle with COPD. She was 82.
Born June 19, 1926, in Lake Wales, she was raised in Bartow where she graduated from Summerlin Institute. After graduating from Florida State University in 1948, she moved to Lake Wales to teach physical education in the Lake Wales school system. She also coached girls basketball for Lake Wales High School and later served as athletic director at Webber College for 20 years.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Lakes Wales. A gifted athlete, she was past president of the Lake Wales Women’s Golf Association and club champion. She was also a long-time volunteer in the gift shop at Lake Wales Hospital.
Preceded in death by her husband, William R. “Bill” Freeland in 1985, and a son, F. Robert “Bobby” Freeland in 2006, she is survived by her daughter, Dee F. Coconato and husband Vinnie of Lake Wales, her son W. Thomas “Tombo” Freeland and wife Alison of Winter Haven, her son David K. Freeland and wife Sheri of Tallahassee, sisters Esther Watson and Laverne Speight both of Bartow, 10 grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30, at Marion Nelson Funeral Home. The service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, at First Presbyterian Church of Lake Wales. Interment will follow at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice at 105 Arneson Ave. Auburndale, FL 33823
Marion Nelson Funeral Homes is in charge of the arrangements.