On a cold January day in 1960, January 11th to be exact, a beautiful bouncing baby girl was born to the late Mr. Thomas Freeman and the late Mrs. Johnnie Love Merritt Freeman. Being “Daddy’s Baby Girl”, she was given the name Thomasene Adele Freeman. Being born into a family that was richly grounded in Christianity, she joined the Mt. Zion Webster Baptist Church in Webster County at a tender age and attended regularly until her health began to decline.
Having being brought up in an educated household, Dele graduated from Americus High School in 1978. While at Americus High she was actively involved in a number of clubs and organizations. She was voted Miss Americus High twice during her high school years. After high school, she furthered her education by attending South Georgia Technical College. Being a fashion diva, she obtained a degree in cosmetology. You could see Dele in Atlanta at the Bronner Brothers Hair Show picking up the latest styles. She took pride in making other people look good and feeling good about themselves.
Often, she was featured as the “Show Stopper” for the local fashion shows. Dele’s love of people continued through her years of service at Serinity Farms as a house parent.
The love of her life was her Family and friends. She was there ready to lend a helping hand or a listening ear to all who knew her. As the New Year rang in, surrounded by her family, Thomasene Adele Freeman Rutherford Williams graciously answered her Master’s call at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center on January 1, 2010.
Her outgoing personality and sweet spirit will forever live on the lives of her devoted husband, soul-mate, and friend, Mr. Darin Williams; her children: Ms. Elushia Rutherford and Mr. Herman (Candace) Rutherford, Jr.; her two grandchildren: Jonathan and Rose Rutherford; a brother Robert Miller of; her sister, Ms. Anita Faye Freeman; two nephews: Minister Maurice Monts and Mr. Mercedes Pope; two nieces: Ms. Johanna Miller and Ms. Jandi Amore Pope; her mother-in-law: Mrs. Yinestra Williams; a step-daughter; Ms.Nichdra Hollis; one step grandchild Brothers and Sisters-in-laws: Mr. Anthony (Bernice) Williams, Mr. Durante (Theresa) Williams, and Ms. Drunell Williams; Aunts and Uncles :Mrs. Pearlie (Ezell) Shelton, Mr. James (Frances)Merritt, Mr. Husher Merritt, Mrs. Maurine (Robert) Slater, and Ms. Gladys Freeman; one great aunts; Mrs. Bessie Maye; Several cousins, including three devoted cousins, Ms. Debra Shelton, Ms. Lora Shelton, and Mr. Rodell Wheeler, other relatives and friends, including The Posse: Rhonda, Nadine, Audrey, Charmaine, Debra, Esther, and Annette.
