Mary Ann Freeland

Mary Ann Freeland, 65, of Magnolia, Arkansas passed away Saturday, September 17, 2016, at The Heritage House in Cumming, Georgia due to complications from a recurrence of multiple myeloma. She was born May 31, 1951 in Monroe, Louisiana to the late Giles and Ann (Miller) Gillespie. Mary Ann was a beautiful and strong lady who devoted her life to providing for her children and grandchildren. In the early 1980's she worked at McAlester Fuel and then transitioned to Farmers Bank & Trust as an Executive Assistant in Magnolia, Arkansas for a number of years where she raised her three children and was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church. She moved to Dallas, Texas in 1996 where she worked as a Trust Officer at North Dallas Bank & Trust Company. She then transitioned to J.P. Morgan as a Trust Administrator with a promotion to Vice President and Personal Trust Manager. She then held the position as Vice President and Trust Officer at Cadence Trust (formerly Encore Trust). In 2010 Mary Ann was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in which she underwent a stem cell transplant in August 2011. She moved to Atlanta, Georgia in April 2013 to be closer to family. In Atlanta, Mary Ann worked at Suntrust as a Vice President/Trust Advisor. She met numerous acquaintances who became lifelong friends throughout the years. She was a classy woman who possessed grace, perseverance and authenticity. Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her daughters Lauren Thomas and husband Will of Suwanee, Georgia, Kelley Freeland of Little Rock, Arkansas; her son, Dr. Michael Freeland and wife Debbie of Orlando, Florida; sister, Pam Allen and Jody Childress of Sarepta, Louisiana; special cousin, Alice Liegerot and husband Ric of Atlanta, Georgia; special aunt, Daisy Uhrich and husband Ray of Magnolia, Arkansas; grandsons, Wes Thomas and Jace Freeland; granddaughters, Lilly Thomas, Marley Freeland and Sarah Thomas; nieces Holly Hollingsworth and husband Murf of Haughton, Louisiana, Shelly Stuart and husband Corey of Haughton, Louisiana; and many close family friends. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 1, 2016 at First Presbyterian Church in Magnolia, Arkansas. A graveside service will be held following the church ceremony at Magnolia Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Magnolia or a charity of donor's choice. The family wishes to thank the staff at Peachtree Christian Hospice, The Heritage House and Crossroads Hospice for their compassionate care.