Freeda Lorene Whited Dill

Freeda Lorene Whited Dill, age 95 passed away on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at the home of her daughter. Born on August 1, 1929 she was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, France A. (Red) Dill; Son, Jerry Wayne Dill; parents, Leonard and Nancy Shrader Whited; siblings, Vearlon (Maggie) Whited, Nina Faye (Thomas) Clifton, Elizabeth (Howell) Culpepper, and Ruby Lee (Don) Boling. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Sandra Sue Dill and Richard (Ronnie) Robertson, grandchildren Richard Lee (Patti) Robertson and Tonja' Robertson (Jeremy) Christopher; great grandchildren Aden and Maggie Robertson and Shelby, Sydney, Sage, and Scarlett Christopher; daughter-in-law, Debbie Dill; several nieces and nephews. Lorene was a long-standing member of Fellowship Baptist and later First Baptist Church of Chickamauga, GA. Through her work career she was employed by Chickamauga Cotton Mill, Gordon Lee and Osborn Schools, and Cutter Laboratory. She valued her faith, family, and caring for those in need. Funeral services will be handled by Wilson Funeral Home, 215 Lee Avenue, Chickamauga, Georgia with visitation on Thursday, June 25 from 4:00-8:00 pm and service in the Wilson Chapel on Friday, June 26 at 11:00 a.m. Pallbearers will consist of her grandson Lee, grandson-in-law Jeremy, and great grandchildren Aden, Maggie, Sydney, Sage, and Honorary Shelby and Scarlett. Lorene will be buried in Chickamauga City Cemetery next to her Husband and Son. Freeda Lorene Whited Dill, daughter, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She was valued by many. Born August 1, 1929 the second child of Leonard and Nancy (Shrader) Whited. Because of her Father's illness and the need for family assistance, she was asked to go to Chickamauga to find work when she was 14. She worked in a small restaurant and lived in the attic for a time. When old enough she went to work at the Cotton Mill where she met and later married her husband, France (Red). They moved in with Dad's parents in Chickamauga and later built a small house on English Avenue. Their house was originally two portions of a barrack from Fort Oglethorpe that cost $35 each. Two children later she had worked at Gordon Lee and Osborn Elementary. Then on to Cutter Laboratory where she broke the glass ceiling as the first female lift truck operator. In order to qualify she had to graduate high school then pass a grueling physical test. She was the first female to drive in Dad's family, a car and a lift truck! She became Cutter's go to driver for difficult loads. She only drove off the dock once without using the ramp. After Cutter's she went back to Osborn for a time and also started a house cleaning business. I share all of this to emphasize her incredible work ethic., a gift she gave to us by example. We often remark that this is why she remained healthy and lived well for so long. Mom was always a very "giving" person. She was there if you needed a helping hand. I remember there was an ice storm on the mountain and her sister's family could not get out to get needed supplies. At Mom's insistence she and Dad loaded us and supplies up and drove up the mountain to make the delivery. After helping Lee to get his great grandfather's house she worked tirelessly to assist him in the remodeling. When she decided to take down the fireplace for him both she and Dad left covered in soot. You could only see the whites of their eyes. If you were hoeing the garden Mom would finish her row and then come help you finish yours. She drove through all kinds of weather to watch the girls so they didn't have to leave the house when Tonja' had to leave for work. After Mom decided to retire from her house cleaning business there was one house she continued to do. When I asked her why she said that she had made a promise to the wife that she would continue to take care of her husband after she passed. She did, until he also passed. If you look out at all those grands and great grands, you can tell that she was a vibrant force in their lives. She baby sat each and every one of them at some point. She made it a point to do things for and with them. Christmas 2025 the youngest one gave her a jar of memories-one was of her taking all of them to the Dollar General and letting them shop for anything and everything they wanted. She was good at making memories. For years I've thought of Mother as an angel on earth. Today I find comfort in the fact that she is now an angel with wings in Heaven. We will miss her for sure but we are strong, independent, and a close family as a result of her loving care for us. Her legacy lives on in us all.

Freeda Lorene Whited Dill

August 1, 1929 - June 24, 2025