Mary Ann Freeman

Mary Ann Carson Freeman was born October 20, 1928, in Hamilton, Kansas, to Harold Kenneth ("HK") Carson and Mary Naomi Colvin Carson. She was the third daughter, following Alice and Lila. Sister Mona was born next and then two brothers, George and Dennis. She graduated from Hamilton High School in 1946. She worked as a clerk at the Williams Filling Station, owned by her cousins Frank and Jack Williams. Mary Ann and her friend, Jody Kelley, then moved to Kansas City where she was hired by Blue Cross Blue Shield to be a secretary while Jody worked in a doctor's office at KU Medical Center. Mary Ann was born with congenital glaucoma and as her eyes began to deteriorate, she had surgery in an effort to avoid further loss of vision. She recovered sufficient vision to join her Uncle Chap Colvin and his wife in California, working as a teller at the Bank of America. After several years in California, she returned to Eureka and became an office assistant for the local dentist, Dr. Dewell. Mary Ann married Robert (Bob) Freeman on June 24, 1960, at her parents' home in Hamilton. Mary Ann and Bob made their home in Eureka until Bob's death on February 18, 2015. Following Bob's death, Mary Ann's brother George assumed her care and she moved to the Good Samaritan Long Term Care Facility in Olathe. She lived there until her death.

Mary Ann made friends easily, was musical, and pursued many interests despite her life long struggle with vision. Mary Ann's friends in Eureka often helped her with activities. One of her favorites was choosing birthday cards at the Rexall Drug Store for her 16 nieces and nephews. Mary Ann always enclosed a dollar with the cards – big money during those times. Her nieces and nephews have carried forward the tradition of the birthday dollar, sometimes to the puzzlement of new spouses. Mary Ann was an excellent singer. She sang soprano in the Eureka Sweet Adelines choral group. The Eureka chapter was quite active and Mary Ann sang in many events locally and throughout the region. Mary Ann learned to knit, with assistance from friends, and knitted many afghans and other useful items for family and friends. Among her family, Mary Ann was known for her quick wit, prodigious memory, and the ability to squeeze every last drop out of a conversation.

In her 50s, Mary Ann's vision became markedly worse. However, she did not accept the inevitable. She attended an intensive training course at the Kansas School for the Blind to learn how to read and write Braille as well as walk with a cane. Mary Ann used those skills to remain independent as long as possible. But she also knew when to ask for and accept assistance. Her brother George and then her nephew Brad Carson helped her navigate the final years of her life after Bob passed away.

Mary Ann is survived by her sister Lila K. Fry, her brother-in-law Maynard Mitchell (Alice), sister-in-law Darla Carson (Dennis), 16 nieces and nephews, 22 grand nieces and nephews, and 10 great grand nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, sisters Alice Mitchell and Mona Short, brother George Carson and his wife Mary Lou, brother Dennis Carson, her brother-in-law Edward Fry.

The family will hold a private service at a later date with ashes to be inurned at Janesville Cemetery in Hamilton, KS.

Memorial donations in Mary Ann's name may be sent to the Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 712 South Kansas Ave, Suite 414 D-F, Topeka, KS, 66603. The association accepts only checks.

The Kansas Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides services and advocates for Kansans who are blind or visually impaired. It was an important resource to Mary Ann during her lifetime.




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