Stephanie G. Freel

Published 10:08 pm Thursday, March 20, 2014

Stephanie Ann Gibbs Freel, 50, a loving daughter, wife and mother, passed away on March 19, 2014, at her home. She was a native of Texas. She expressed her faith as a faithful member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. She is the daughter of Susan and Joseph Gibbs, of Suffolk.

Stephanie received her bachelor’s degree from Converse College in Spartanburg, S.C., and her master’s in special education from Hampton University. She began her 20-year teaching career on Tangier Island and taught in the city of Chesapeake and the city of Virginia Beach. She continued her love for children and teaching as a volunteer at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy.

Besides her parents she is survived by her husband, Eric; daughter, Rachael Pauline “Polly” Freel; brother, Stephen Gibbs (Trish and daughter Emily), of Williamsburg; nephews Zachary and Joshua Gibbs; and many colleagues and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 24, 2014, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 213 N. Main St., Suffolk, with the Rev. Keith Emerson officiating. Interment will follow in the church columbarium. A visitation will be held on Sunday, March 23, 2014, from 4 to 6 p.m. at R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, 509 W. Washington St., Suffolk, VA 23434. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Stephanie’s daughter, Rachael Pauline Freel, c/o Kelly Capps, BB&T Bank, 1525 N. Main St., Suffolk, VA 23434. Condolences may be registered at www.rwbakerfh.com.