Freeman, Joan Miller

Joan Freeman passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 9th, 2019. She was 91 years old. She is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Marion Freeman, her son Randy and his wife Denise and three granddaughters, Taylor (Chicago, IL) Kendal (Madrid, Spain) and Cameron (Coral Gables, FL). She is preceded in death by her parents, Clytie and Herman Miller and a daughter, Jeri Linn.

Joan was born in Burlington Junction, MO on January 8, 1928. In high school she and friends would drive to St. Joseph, MO and go to the Frog Hop Ballroom to listen and dance to the big band artists of the day, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Gene Krupa and others. After high school she graduated with honors from Northwest Missouri State Teachers College (now Northwest Missouri State U) in Maryville, MO with a degree in Music and minor in Physical Education. She was a four-year member of the school band and orchestra where she played the clarinet and was president of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority her senior year.

Joan’s first job after graduating college was in 1949 in Pleasantville, IA, where she started the music programs for the school district. She taught vocal for grade, junior and high school and band for high school. On August 2, 1950 she married Marion in Burlington Junction, MO at the First Christian Church and after a honeymoon to Niagara Falls, the couple moved to Chillicothe, MO. In 1951 they moved to Savannah, MO where Joan taught music in the Savannah School District. In 1958 the couple moved to St. Louis and settled in Clayton. Joan taught music in the Clayton and Ladue School Districts and taught private music lessons to area students. Later in life, she was an Oasis Tutor in the Clayton School District

helping young students with their reading, writing and language skills.

She and Marion were members of Union Avenue Christian Church for 60 years. Joan was an active participate for many years in the Union Avenue choir and many other church related committees and groups.

Joan played the piano until the last few years of her life and she loved to share her passion and joy for music with her family and friends. She was also known for her beautiful rose garden at their home. She enjo

yed high school and college basketball and was a successful March Madness bracketologist, winning the pool one year. She and Marion were long time season ticket holders to the St. Louis Symphony and The Muny. In addition, she was a supporter of the St. Louis Art Museum and St. Louis Zoo. She will be forever missed as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and dear friend.

Service: A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union Blvd, St. Louis, MO, 63108. Service at 11a with lunch following.