Priscilla Mccaskill Freeman

Priscilla Freeman, 85, of Lake Wales passed away Saturday, July 26, 2014 at her residence due to Cancer.

She was born February 8, 1929, in Perry, Florida to Malcom Stanley and Pearl Gertrude (Philyaw) McCaskill and has been a resident of the area since 1958, moving here from Jacksonville, Florida. She attended Florida State University in 1946 where she received a Bachelor’s of Science in Home Economics. She received a Bachelor’s of Arts in Elementary Education from Rollins College. She then attended Florida Atlantic University where she completed and was awarded a Master of Education Degree. She began her teaching career at the Bartram School for Girls, in Jacksonville, Florida in 1951. She continued her teaching career at The Jessup High School, in Jessup, Georgia. In 1958 she and her family moved to Lake Wales, Florida where she began teaching at Babson Park Elementary and remained there for 26 ½ years at which time she retired in 1984.

Mrs. Freeman is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Wales, was a member of the Lake Wales Beautification Committee, University of Women, the Red Hat Society, and a founding member of The Krewe of Pegasus. She was recognized by Governor Bob Martinez, in 1990, as a Florida Pioneer, which can only be achieved if your family settled in Florida prior to it’s statehood.

Mrs. Freeman was preceded in death by her son, Gary M. Freeman, in 1973, after his graduation from Lake Wales High School and Polk Community College.

Survivors include her husband of 64 years, having been married at Florida State University in 1950, Thomas A Freeman; one sister, Peggy Hardie of Jacksonville, Florida; sister-in-law Roberta Freeman Harriman (Charles) of Lake Wales, Florida; along with many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM Thursday , July 31, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church with The Reverend Chad Reynolds officiating. Interment will be held at the Lake Wales Cemetery. Family will receive friends on Thursday from 10:00 am until service time at the church.

Contributions may be sent to Good Shepherd Hospice of Polk County, First Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund or Babson Park Elementary School.

To view the webcast of her service, please click the link: http://webcasts.lifetributes.com/513480