Freda Hames McKinley

Obituary of Freda Hames McKinley Freda Marion Hames McKinley, born September 5, 1923 in Belleview, FL to John Freeman and Marjorie Merrill Hames, departed this earth on June 12, 2013 in Leesburg, FL. She graduated from Ocala High School in 1940, attended Camp Roosevelt near Ocala before leaving for Washington, DC to work for the War Department during WWII. She moved back to Florida after the war and married Detmer Gillham McKinley. They moved to Eustis, Florida and settled there with their family. She was an active member of Bay Street Baptist Church teaching in the beginner department. In 1964 the family moved to Leesburg and have remained here ever since. The family joined Westside Baptist Church soon after moving and were members for many years. In later years she and Detmer were active members of Faith's Ourtreach Center. In her last years she was a member of Leesburg Christian Center. She was an avid flower gardener, reader and enjoyed fishing and doing crossword puzzles. Freda was the first woman who ever worked for the Leesburg Police Department. She was secretary first to Chief Fisher, then Chief Perry. She was clerk of the court when Leesburg had a local court. She retired from there in 1987. She loved The Lord Jesus first of all. She loved to travel and did so whenever she could get Detmer to take her somewhere. She loved vacationing in Sanibel, especially the sea shells. She loved her children and grandchildren and spent many hours playing board games and doing whatever she could to make their lives a joy. When the great grandchildren came along she rejoiced even more. She and Detmer did anything they could to help their family become strong Christians. Their grandchildren enjoyed making summer visits with them. She loved going to yard sales. When she was able to, she loved to work in her flower beds. She is survived by a sister Norma Hames Law, three daughters, Molly McKinley, Marjorie McDonald (Randy), Kathleen Hood (Dennis), stepdaughter Martha Ruth McKinley Hughes, 12 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren (and 2 on the way), and some great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings Avis Janette Hames and Doris Winifred Hames Howard, her husband Detmer Gillham McKinley and her son John Wesley Welch. Visitation will be held Saturday, June 15, 2013 from 10:00 to 11:00 am at the Leesburg Christian Center with funeral service following at 11:00 am with Pastor Alex Hollaway officiating. Interment will be at Lakeside Memorial Gardens, Eustis.

Freda Hames McKinley

September 5, 1923 - June 12, 2013