Vicki Freels

Vicki Freels family announces with deep sadness the news of her passing. Vicki Shew Freels, 64, of Savannah, passed away on Saturday, July 20, surrounded by her family and friends both near and far. She leaves a void that her family cannot fill. Her hard fought battle with breast cancer is over; the pain is gone. With her last breath, the angels rejoiced in her welcoming and she finally met her Maker.
Vicki was born on Feb. 10, 1960, in Georgetown, Texas. She and her older brother, Wayne, moved and were raised in Atkins, Virginia, where their grandmother, Irene Shew, later adopted her. Wayne was always regarded as her lifelong protector. As a young child, Vicki was recognized for her academic gifts by a loving teacher who challenged her to work hard in school and rise above her difficult life circumstances. She met that challenge and earned a full scholarship to attend King College in Bristol, Tennessee, where she excelled and built the foundation for her remarkable life and career.
It was at King College that she met the love of her life, Douglas Freels. They shared a loving and faithful marriage for 38 years, and were blessed with three sons: Parker, Graham, and Bradley. Vicki was a devoted mother who raised her sons with love and care, each of whom went on to marry women she cherished as daughters. Most recently, Vicki experienced the joy of becoming a grandmother to seven grandchildren.
While never one to demand the spotlight, Vicki was always the life of the party. She loved to dance and never skipped an opportunity – so much so that she famously broke her wrist during one ill-fated boogey. Vicki took every opportunity to make her loved ones feel special and made birthdays truly magical, like it was your day and no one else’s. Vicki was the ultimate storyteller. She required a clean and well decorated home, which always maintained its warmth. Self-professed as “not a foodie,” but a cold drink and good conversation by a body of water always put a smile on her face. Her home was always open to everyone, especially children and dogs. Her faith, family and friends were the most important things to her, and she had a selfless heart, serving others whenever possible, often daily.
She was a fine Christian woman who lived her life in faith and was a solid believer in the redemptive power of Jesus Christ. She was always willing to share her testimony with others. She held a daily reliance on scripture, with application to all of life’s challenges and celebrations. One of her greatest joys was becoming a grandmother and was affectionately called ViVi in this role. A set of quintuplets born on June 4, 2023, Adelyn, Eliana, Linnea, Fisher, and Harper Freels and two more recent grandchildren, Margaret Freels born on June 2, 2024 and Robin Freels born on June 5, 2024.
Vicki is survived by her husband, Douglas Freels of Savannah, Tennessee; her son Parker Freels and his wife Georgia Freels of Chattanooga, Tennessee; her son Graham Freels and his wife Stephanie Freels of Ferndale, Washington; her son Bradley Freels and his wife Eliza Freels of Knoxville, Tennessee; her seven grandchildren; and her brother, Wayne Hodges and his wife Debbie Hodges of Jacksonville, Florida.
She was preceded in death by her other brother Douglas Hodges; her mother Betty Shew; and her grandmother Irene Shew.
Her Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held on Saturday, Aug. 3rd, 2 p.m., at Sharon Baptist Church in the sanctuary located at 3514 Cravens Road, Savannah, TN 38372.
Please join us for a meal in the fellowship hall immediately following the ceremony. Visitation begins one hour prior to services at 1 p.m.. Vicki always loved getting dressed up for special occasions and loved a party. Please leave the dark clothes at home, and wear your Sunday’s best and get ready to celebrate this woman we all loved so much!
“I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, As long as I’m living, My mommy you’ll be.” (Excerpt from “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch).
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity and organization of your choice that Vicki cherished or was involved in. These include The Darryl Worley Cancer Foundation, LIVE-IT Ministries, and Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child.