Evelyn Forrester Freeland

(Lila) Evelyn Forrester Freeland, 94, of Greenville, SC, widow of Julian Grady Freeland Jr., went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, July 30, 2023 after battling cancer.  She passed peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family.

Evelyn was born in Greer, SC on November 11, 1928 to the late John G. & Ruth Moon Forrester Sr. As a pastor’s daughter and child of the Great Depression, it is no surprise that she became a woman of faith and courage. She graduated from Lander University in 1949, stayed home with her young children, and later became an elementary school teacher for 33 years.   She lost her husband in 1991, but never let that stop her independent spirit.  She was an active member of the community, the pillar of her family, and a long-time member of Rocky Creek Baptist Church. 

Evelyn’s legacy was twofold: faith and feistiness.  Unlike many women of her day, she was never afraid to speak up.  She was audacious, opinionated, and self-sufficient, including cutting her own grass until she was in her 90s.  She was also a woman of faith, reading her Bible and devotionals up to the day she passed.   She taught Sunday School for years and was a living example of God’s love.

Evelyn knew what it meant to live in the moment. She loved nature and loved to work with her hands. She was an avid gardener and loved to watch the birds in her yard who flocked to her many feeders.  She loved to crochet, making blankets and gifts for those near and far.  She also loved to work puzzles, especially the difficult ones!  Evelyn was also an accomplished poet and wrote for friends and family alike.  In 1991 she won the Golden Poet Award and was invited to read at a conference in New York City. 

Evelyn’s nature was effervescent. She loved to wear bright colors and her giggle was childlike, no matter her age.  She was and is radiant.

Evelyn is survived by her sons, Michael Freeland (Carolyn), and Allen Freeland (Barbara); her grandchildren, Brad Freeland (Amanda), Cody Freeland (Hannah), Natalie Lodato (Rich), and Kirby Freeland (Rebecca); her great-grandchildren, Creed Freeland, Julian Freeland, Barrett Freeland, Lia Lodato, and Grant Lodato; and one brother, John Grady Forrester Jr and his wife, Jane.  Evelyn was predeceased by her sister Joyce Hall and brother Gerald Forrester.

A private interment service will be held for the family in Woodlawn Memorial Park in Greenville.

A Celebration of Life service will follow on Friday, August 4, 2023 at 1:30 pm at Rocky Creek Baptist Church officiated by Pastor David Williams. The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to: Rocky Creek Baptist Church, Senior Adults, 1801 Woodruff Rd, Greenville, SC 29607; Five Forks Baptist Church, 112 Batesville Rd, Simpsonville, SC 29681; or Providence Baptist Church, 4921 Randolph Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211.