Freeda J. Brownridge, a wonderful and loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away peacefully at the Isabella County Medical Care Facility in Mt Pleasant, MI on July 27, 2022. She heard Jesus call her name and took his hand and entered Heaven into the arms of Jesus and was home at last.
Freeda Joann Hayes was born on May 29, 1937, in Ithaca, MI the daughter of Fred and Berenice (Durfee) Hayes. She graduated from Ithaca High School, with the Class of 1955. After high school Freeda went to work at Consumers Power Company where she met the love of her life, Don W Brownridge. After dating a few months, they were married on April 6, 1957 at the Ithaca Church of God. Shortly after they got married, Don’s job transferred them to the Clare Consumers Power Company where they began their lives and raised three daughters.
From an early age Freeda learned about hard work and what family meant, being raised on the family farm in Ithaca, which molded her into the wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother she was.
Freeda was first and foremost a wonderful wife and mother. Her family was her job in life. She was always there helping her girls however she could. She had six beautiful grandchildren and was truly blessed with eleven great grandchildren and one on the way.
She will always be remembered for her famous sugar cookies and pies.
Freeda was a part of the Eagle Church of God. She served as a deaconess, and as a treasurer for 25 years, and as the organist for over 50 years. Freeda loved the Lord and served him faithfully all her life. She loved gospel music!
Freeda is survived by her three daughters: Teresa Brownridge of Harrison, Shelley (Steve) Fair of Clare, Donna (Dan) Carncross of Perry, six grandchildren, Jonathon (Kayli) Fair of Clare, Samantha (Paul) Burback of Saint Charles, Matthew (Bethany) Fair of Reed City, Seth (Sarah) Carncross of Holland, Alyssa (Brandon) Cook of Okemos, Megan Carncross (Judah Rodgers) of Auburn Hills, and eleven great grandchildren Annabelle, Chael, Tessa, Marcus, Thomas, Sophia, Naomi, Nathan, Logan, Chloe, Kaiden, and baby Carncross in November. Freeda is also survived by her siblings, sister Rosalie Davis, brothers Kenneth Hayes, Richard Hayes, Terry Hayes all of Ithaca. She was also survived by many nieces, nephews, friends, and her best friend of 80 years Marilyn (Tom) Bober of Midland.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Don W Brownridge, grandson, Ethan A Gage, her parents, Fred and Berenice Hayes, siblings, Vincent Hayes, Lois Sherwood, Carol Boyle and Laurel Kay Husted.
A celebration of life service for Freeda will be held on July 30, 2022 at the Clare United Methodist Church in Clare at 11am. Visitation with the family will be held on July 29th, from 5pm to 8pm at the Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home in Clare. Her final resting place will be at the Cherry Grove Cemetery in Clare. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations to be made to My Michigan Hospice.
The family would like to extend a warm thank you to My Michigan Hospice nurses and to the nurses and medical staff at the Isabella County Medical Care Facility for the greatest care give to our mother.
The day we said our final goodbyes, our hearts broke and our tears flowed but we know in our hearts you heard Jesus call your name and to Heaven you went. We are sad but happy for you. Mom, we will always love you and your memory will live on in our hearts. Your wonderful life will forever be cherished.
Friday, September 20, 2024
