Obituary for Cora Elizabeth Freeman (Lassiter)
Cora Elizabeth Lassiter Freeman was born on Sunday, September 18, 1921, in Harrellsville, N.C. to Annie Askew Lassiter and Walter M. Lassiter. She was preceded in death by her husband Thomas M. Freeman, Sr. and son Thomas M. Freeman, Jr. She had five brothers Robert, Charlie, Johnnie, Hunter and the first born, who died at birth. Cora attended Springfield Elementary School of Harrellsville, N.C. completed Walter’s Training High in Winton, N.C., and in 1942, received her Certificate in Cosmetology from Apex Beauty College in Richmond, VA. After graduation, Cora moved to Norfolk, VA and worked in several beauty salons on Church St.
In 1946, Cora married her childhood sweetheart, Thomas M. Freeman, Sr. To this marriage were born three children, Jacqueline, Thomas, Jr., and Michael.
For fifteen years Cora worked as a Play Ground Leader for the Norfolk Recreational Department. She stopped working to care for her mother, Anne Askew Lassiter, who died at the age of ninety-nine in 1980.
During the 1940’s, Cora and Thomas started their own catering business and became owners of F & R Cafeteria in Chesapeake, VA. They remained in the catering business for over thirty years.
During her retirement, Cora took great joy in helping senior citizens with their shopping, doctor’s visits, dining out with them at various restaurants, and talking on the phone all times of night.
She joined New Calvary Baptist Church in 1942 and served on the Food Committee, Floral Club, New Calvary’s S. L. W. Club, Golden Age Ministry and kept up with her “Golden Girls” and “Silver Boys.”
She is survived by daughter Jacqueline Roberts, son Michael Freeman (Valerie), grandchildren Harland Roberts, Jasmine Roberts Duncan (Ron), DeAngelo Freeman, Zoe Brown and Michael Freeman, Jr.; great grandchildren DeQuilla Freeman, Charlita Freeman, Toledo Freeman, Danaya Freeman, Tajael Dudley, Tarael Brown, Caleb Duncan, Zakiyyah Brown; niece Karla Lassiter and nephew Robert Lassiter, Jr. (Pam); god children Kenya Nicholson, Rev. Jesse Johnson, and Donald Toran, Jr. and many other family and friends.
In 1946, Cora married her childhood sweetheart, Thomas M. Freeman, Sr. To this marriage were born three children, Jacqueline, Thomas, Jr., and Michael.
For fifteen years Cora worked as a Play Ground Leader for the Norfolk Recreational Department. She stopped working to care for her mother, Anne Askew Lassiter, who died at the age of ninety-nine in 1980.
During the 1940’s, Cora and Thomas started their own catering business and became owners of F & R Cafeteria in Chesapeake, VA. They remained in the catering business for over thirty years.
During her retirement, Cora took great joy in helping senior citizens with their shopping, doctor’s visits, dining out with them at various restaurants, and talking on the phone all times of night.
She joined New Calvary Baptist Church in 1942 and served on the Food Committee, Floral Club, New Calvary’s S. L. W. Club, Golden Age Ministry and kept up with her “Golden Girls” and “Silver Boys.”
She is survived by daughter Jacqueline Roberts, son Michael Freeman (Valerie), grandchildren Harland Roberts, Jasmine Roberts Duncan (Ron), DeAngelo Freeman, Zoe Brown and Michael Freeman, Jr.; great grandchildren DeQuilla Freeman, Charlita Freeman, Toledo Freeman, Danaya Freeman, Tajael Dudley, Tarael Brown, Caleb Duncan, Zakiyyah Brown; niece Karla Lassiter and nephew Robert Lassiter, Jr. (Pam); god children Kenya Nicholson, Rev. Jesse Johnson, and Donald Toran, Jr. and many other family and friends.