Mary Freeman

Canton - Mary Wells Freeman, age 99, formerly of 149 Academy Street died Sunday, April 1, 2007 at Silver Bluff Nursing Home where she had been a resident for several years. She was a daughter of the late Adeline Teague and Charles Thomas Wells. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, George W. Freeman; two sisters, Martha W. Branson and Margaret W. Hudson and four brothers, James, Wallace, Carey and Broadway Wells. She attended Converse College. Her passion in life was tending her cattle and working on her farm where she was active into her late eighties. For many years she grew beautiful daffodils and baby's breath for commercial use by local florists. She was well known in the Canton community by the old white trucks she drove. She had a deep love for all children and would cross a street just to look at a baby. She was extremely proud of her mother being one of the first female school principals in Haywood County and her father's role in the development of Canton. C.T. and Addie built Wells Town to provide housing for early Champion Paper employees. While Addie oversaw Wells Town, C.T. founded Wells Funeral Home, a mercantile store and other business endeavors. In her late sixties, Mary attended night classes at Haywood Community College where she learned to paint portraits and do woodcarving. She enjoyed the trips she was able to take with her son and daughter-in-law. Mary and her husband lived in Ohio and Texas due to George's work as an accountant with Champion Paper. She was happiest when they returned to Canton where she could see her beloved mountains. She attended Canton Central United Methodist Church. She is survived by her son, George Wells Freeman, M.D. and his wife Donna L. Monteith, of Waynesville; a grandson, George Thomas Freeman of Newland; twin great-granddaughters, Christin and Jessica Freeman of Asheville and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 5, 2007 in the Canton Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend David Christy officiating. Burial will follow in Bon-A-Venture Cemetery on Old Clyde Road in the Wells family plot. The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon until 1:45 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to REACH of Haywood County, P.O. Box 206, Waynesville, NC 28786 or the Haywood Regional Medical Center Foundation, 262 Leroy George Drive, Clyde, NC 28721.

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