Freda E. Martin

Freda E. Martin "Jug" passed away On Tuesday, March 8, 2011. Daughter of the late Fred and Marie Martin; sister of Virginia Eaton of Ft. Meyers, Fl; aunt of Jan Vance and Timothy Eaton. Freda Earline Martin lived in the Renaissance Garden in Riderwood Village. Freda was born March 5, 1930 in Lincoln, Illinois. She was the second daughter of Fred and Mae Martin, with a six year older sister named Virginia; most of her younger years were spent on the farm. At that time there was no electricity or indoor plumbing. The water came from a well and cistern. There was a big cook stove in the kitchen which provided the heat. A pot belly stove was in the living room but no heat in the bedrooms. In the winter months, the family used feather mattresses for warmth. On the cook stone was a water reservoir which heated the water for Saturday baths. The family grew corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa. Freda was responsible for milking the cows, slopping the pigs and gathering the eggs. She walked a mile to a one room school house where there were only 12 students in the entire school. After the family moved to town, she attended junior and senior high in Lincoln. Freda received a scholarship to Illinois State University after her graduation from high school. Even with the scholarship and working in a restaurant, money was short and she had to drop out of school after one semester. She enlisted in the Women's Army Corps in May 1949, for 2 years. Shortly after enlisting, the Korean War broke out and her enlistment was frozen. While in the service, she attended many schools and was stationed at Camp Lee, Ft. Monmouth, Ft. Dix, West Point, Ft. Meade, Camp Pichet and Ft. Knox. Because of the war, promotions were quick; she went from Recruit to PFC, Corporal, Sergeant, Master Sergeant, Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant and to Captain. After Basic Training, Freda was the first WAC selected to attend Photography School. After being commissioned, she was one of 15 WAC's selected to participate in a feasibility test to determine if women could serve in a combat unit (Armored Division) in a war zone. They were assigned to the 3rd Armed Division at Fort Knox, Kentucky. When the war was over, she resigned her commission to return to college. Freda's last assignment was Captain in the personnel office for the 3rd Armor Division. She attended the University of Maryland on the G.I. Bill, where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education with a minor in History. While teaching in Prince George's County, she earned her Master's Degree in Administration and Supervision. After several years of teaching P.E. in the Elementary, Junior and Senior high Schools, she was promoted to Supervisor of P.E. for all of Prince George's County Schools. Freda retired from P.G. County Schools after 30 years of service. Freda expressed her happiness in assisted living and how lucky she was to make Riderwood her number one pick. Freda bought a home in Bowie, MD and lived there for 36 years, until she suffered a heart attack in December 2005, which caused her to move to Riderwood Village. After other illnesses, Freda moved to assisted living in Renaissance Gardens. Service and interment were private. If desired, contributions may be made to the Staff Appreciation Fund of Riderwood Village, 3110 Gracefield Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20904 or to Montgomery Hospice, 1355 Piccard Dr., Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850.