Bobbie Jean (Strickland) Freese

Bobbie Jean Freese, 82, of Marshall, died on Friday night, June 25, 2021, at her home under the care of her close friends and her beloved cat Sammy.
Bobbie was born on May 22, 1939, in Jessup, Georgia to Clyde and Jessie Mae (Williamson) Strickland. She grew up on the family farm near Jessup. She was a member of the 1957 graduating class of Appling County High School in Baxley, Georgia.
After her high school graduation, she moved to Jacksonville, Florida where she worked for State Farm Insurance Companies from 1957 until 1961.
While working for State Farm Bobbie met John H. Freese. They became engaged and were married on January 29, 1960, in Dallas, Texas. The couple moved to Marshall in 1961 when John took a position at the State Farm Regional Office here.
In 1963 she became the secretary at Shearman Elementary School and Conley School until 1966. In 1967 Bobbie became a member of the Calhoun County Intermediate School District staff, where she worked as a secretary and in support staff positions until 1979. She took a break from the work force and attended Kellogg Community College where she earned her Associate Degree in Psychology in 1983. Bobbie earned her Realtor's License and served the community as a realtor for over 30 years, most recently with Re-Max. She was a member of the Battle Creek Area Board of Realtors. Bobbie enjoyed her work finding homes for her clients.
Bobbie was a very active community volunteer. She has been a member of the Ella M. Brown Charitable Circle's Oaklawn Hospital Auxiliary since 1962. She was a member of their Executive Committee, the Gift Shop Guild, the Menu Guild, and the Art Show Committee.
She was a volunteer for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southcentral Michigan Inc., where she served on their board of directors from 1975 until 1987, then became a member of their Honorary Board. She was a long-time member of their Marshall Advisory Council.
She volunteered for the Calhoun Community Action Agency, The American Cancer Society, and the March of Dimes for many years. Bobbie enjoyed being a member of the Women's Philanthropic Group.
Bobbie was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church. She enjoyed gardening both outdoors and indoors. Art, interior decorating and reading where her other passions.
She is survived by her brother Jerry Strickland of Jessup, Georgia, her nephew Jared Strickland, and her Freese nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband John H. Freese on December 20, 2010, her parents, and a brother Thomas Strickland.
Friends may call at Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 US HWY 27 N., Marshall on Monday, June 28, from 4PM - 6PM when a Liturgical Prayer Service will be conducted.
The Mass Of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary Catholic Church on Tuesday, June 29 at 10AM with Rev. Fr. Craig Lusk officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.
Those who wish to remember to remember Bobbie with a memorial are asked to do so with a gift to The Fountain Clinic or Oaklawn Hospice. Go to "Donations" below.