Vanessa Lynn Freeman-Ashley's Obituary
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:1-4
Vanessa Lynn Freeman-Ashley was born in Bridgeton, New Jersey to the late Reverend Proctor Harvey Freeman, Sr., and Mary Elizabeth “Sister” Wiggins-Freeman. She was called home Friday evening, May 13, 2022. At almost 20 years post-heart transplant, she succumbed to recent medical issues passing peacefully at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, FL.
She spent much of her early childhood years with her grandparents, the late Mr. Willie Ray Wiggins and Mrs. Eula Wiggins, on their farm with her aunts and uncles who she affectionately always said felt more like brothers and sisters to her. She eventually joined her parents and siblings on Orion Street in Kinston, North Carolina. She graduated from Kinston High School in 1974 and went on to attend Winston-Salem State University (WSSU). Highlights of her time at university include earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with magna cum laude distinction, being named Miss Political Science, and earning a scholarship to Syracuse University College of Law.
Vanessa chose to forgo law school and relocate to Tampa, Florida and begin her career. Soon after relocation, she gave birth to her only child, a daughter, Shema Taian Freeman. She often sang the praises of her daughter and shared that “mother” was the role she cherished most in life. However, it is debatable whether her grand-dogs, Meyer and Chloe, were the true loves of her life. Tampa is also where she met and married Kenneth D. Ashley. Though their marriage lasted just a few years, they remained great friends and co-parents.
Vanessa had a long, rewarding 30+ year career in Procurement spanning both the chemical and utility industries. With 17 years of service, she retired from Gainesville Regional Utilities in February 2022. She truly held dear the friendships she made with her co-workers over the years.
Vanessa’s warm smile and gregarious personality meant she never met a stranger. She loved her friends like family. God placed the call of shepherd on her life. Blessed with the gift of vision, she always had an open ear and a healing word of scripture for any and every situation.
She is survived by her daughter, Shema T. Freeman of Alachua, FL; brothers, Proctor Harvey Freeman, Jr. and wife Vicki of Charlotte, NC, and Gary Freeman and wife Vinniece of Raleigh, NC; sisters, Bonnie K. Freeman of Memphis, TN and Sonya Y. Steedley and husband Nathaniel of Waldorf, MD; and a host of loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
A memorial service will be held at a later date
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