Freeda Virginia Wilson Sanford Mauro
Freeda was born on February 16, 1938, and passed away on August 5, 2024, in Murfreesboro, TN.
Freeda was born to Charlie and Cola Mae Wilson. She and her siblings, Carolyn and R.C., enjoyed a wonderful childhood in Huntingdon, TN. Their parents ran a small hometown grocery store where they would stop in for candy daily. Freeda was a sassy, beautiful child who grew into a formidable woman. After high school, moved to Nashville to attend West Tennessee Business College.
Freeda met Joe Sanford one day at the lake while spending time with friends. Joe was busy picking up boats and doing everything he could to garner her attention. That’s where their fairy tale began. Together for three decades, Joe and Freeda raised four children: Joe Jr., Suzanne, Tracy, and Beth. Though she held several jobs in the healthcare field, her true life’s work was her children.
After Joe passed away, Freeda found another great love, Tony Mauro. They married and shared 27 wonderful years together. Tony, too, had four children: Elizabeth, Tony Jr., Paul, and Aaron. Freeda was fortunate to have had two amazing men in her life.
Freeda loved playing the piano, especially old hymns. She enjoyed tending to her flowers and plants, traveling, and spending time with her children, 19 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. She also loved cooking, particularly cornbread dressing and banana pudding, and cherished quiet early mornings.
Freeda had a sweet tooth, especially for wildflower honey, and took great pleasure in collecting snow babies and angels. “Thanksistmas” (a combination of Thanksgiving and Christmas) was the much-anticipated holiday of the year, and she proudly reminded everyone that she “started all of this.” She delighted in calling and serenading her loves ones with “Happy Birthday” in her falsetto opera voice.
Freeda was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husbands, oldest son Joe Phelps Sanford, stepdaughter Elizabeth Mauro, and step-granddaughter Sara Mauro.
She is survived by Joe’s wife Beverly, and three daughters Suzanne Sanford Kutuk (husband Robert), Tracy Sanford Pillow, and Beth Sanford Stone (husband Tim). Stepsons Tony Jr. (wife Janette Valdez), Paul (wife Vijeta), and Aaron (wife Kara).
Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren:
Dustin Sanford (wife Courtney) and their children Brayden and Lily; Dru Sanford (wife Rachel) and their children Stella and Josey; Ethan Sanford (wife Brittany) and their children Rilynne and Maci; Kristina Kutuk Hagan (husband Jackson) and their children Hadley and Henley; Rachael Kutuk Cooper (husband Clint) and their children Ava Grace and Collins; Caleb Pillow (wife Rachel) and their children Avery and Wyatt; Lucas (wife Kelsey) and their children Zoey and Skylar; Morgan Pillow and her children Sophia and Savannah; Max and Niko Pillow; Gracie Pillow Cook (husband Tyler); Sanford and Mollie Stone; and Vincent, Emilia, Rocco, Danny, Henry, and Will Mauro.
A memorial service will be held in the Shelton-Hunt Funeral Home Chapel in Humboldt, TN, on August 17. 2024 at 11:00AM. The service will be officiated by longtime family friend, Dale Mills.
Shelton-Hunt Funeral Home
