Freida Arlene Wilson was born in Apopka, FL at home to Henry Elwood Wilson and Mattie Turkette Wilson on May 23, 1927. She passed away on December 1, 2023, at the blessed age of 96 . Freida, was affectionately known by names: Mom, Momma, Grandma, Grandma Mac and dear friend. Momma is preceded in death by her parents Mattie Myrtle Turkette Wilson Wright (1995) and Henry Elwood Wilson and her stepdad - Silas Cornelius Wright. Mommas Grandmother, Lula E. Turkette, passed in 1970 and her Aunt Elythe Turkette Priest passed away in 1940. Mom was married for almost 50 years to David Earl Mcleird, as he passed away in 1995. Both of her brothers, have also passed on, Cleland Elwood Wilson along with his wife Alene, and Leon Earl Wilson. Clelands surviving children are Woody Wilson, Gail Hallyburton, and Keith Wilson. Grandson Zebadiah Tyron McLeaird passed away 1977 at just 3 months of age. She is survived by:Three children:Marcella Lorene McLeaird Kennedy (Jacksonville, FL)Lynn Allen McLeaird Sr. (Jenny) (Jacksonville, FL)Raymond Andrew McLeaird (Judy)(SanAntonio TX)Five Grandchildren:Dawn Rebecca Kennedy Bullard (REV) (Collins, GA)Lynn Allen McLeaird, Jr. (Brandy) (Jacksonville, FL)Ryan Adam McLeaird (Lauren) (San Antonio, TX)Robin Ashley McLeaird Webster (Jon) (Temple, TX)Randal Austin McLearid (Melissa) (San Antonio, TX)Thirteen Great Grandchildren:From Becky:Warren Bullard (Hannah)Kesley Calloway (Joshua)Bishop Bullard (Alicia)From Allen:Ariel McLeaird Melvin (Amos Jr.)Isaiah McLeairdJames FosterJoshua FosterNicholas FosterRyan & Lauren:Rhys McLeairdSloane McLeairdRobin & Jon:Jeremiah WebsterRandal & Melissa:Kellan McLeairdMicah McLeaird7 Great Great Grandchildren:Warren & Hannah:Kayson BullardElla BullardBowen BullardKesley & Joshua:Cullen CallowayBishop & Alicia:Baby due - 01/15/24Ariel & Amos:Amos Melvin IIIKala MelvinMom and Dad and the Kids were active members at Jacksonville Heights Baptist Church for many years, until the kids grew up and moved on. And then health challenges caused Mom and Dads attendance to decline as well.Mom and Dad had big hearts and would welcome Navy guys into their lives and become their surrogate family as they were stationed at NAS JAX. They included the sailors to dinner, church, holidays events, birthdays, and just everyday stuff.Mom had pretty much always been a stay-at-home Mom as the kids were growing up, but occasionally took on odd jobs through the years to help supplement their familys income. She also used these odd jobs to teach responsibility to her kids. Some of Moms past paid jobs included newspaper routes with Lynn and later with Ray. She carried a gun as she was a courier for a lab company picking up lab specimens and delivering them to the lab, and later she worked for a different company that picked up cash from school cafeterias to run afterschool deposits to banks. Yep, she was a feisty lady.She volunteered her time at the voting polls for many years as well volunteered with Lynn for the Wounded Warriors at NAS JAX for over 5 years.As a granddaughter of a soldier of the confederacy, she qualified to be a member of the UDC, "United Daughters of the Confederacy" as Moms Grandfather fought as a Confederate soldier in the Civil War in the 1860s.As the years rolled on, Mom and Dad became friends and later care givers to Mr. Moore, an unusual man in the eyes of youngsters who didnt understand why an 80ish year-old man would risk riding his bike daily to the local convenience store to get grocery supplies. The road in front of our home was becoming more rapidly traveled and we remember seeing this "decrepit" old man riding a rickety old bicycle with a wire basket attached to the front of the handlebars and wondered what he was doing and where he was going. We watched him ride by our house for years, never really knowing where he was coming from or where he was going. Well, Mom and Dad took him under their wing , took him food, clothes, and other sundries. Lynn was also involved in caring for Mr. Moore. They eventually took him into their home in his later years and card for him for over six years like he was their own, as he had no other family. Before Mr. Moore passed away, he had willed his property to Mom and Dad.Momma loved to hand write letters of love and affirmation. She later started typing letters, as her hands got shakier.Momma did her best to attend all the important events of her kids lives.Mom and Dad were long term care givers to Granny, and after several life-threatening burglars in Grannys downtown house, Mom and Dad added a section onto their home for Granny to come live with them. Sadly, Dad and Granny both passed in 1995.Marcella said she use to dream of horses, then became Moms dream. Marcella always wanted a horse, so she babysat twin baby girls for a while to earn money for a horse. Momma wanted Marcella to take piano lessons before she could get a horse, so she did. Marcella finally got Geronimo, her horse. Momma said she earned enough money to buy him, earning cents an hour could not have been much, but Momma convinced me that I had earned Geronimo. Eventually Lynn and Ray got horses as well, and Mom and Dad decided to build a fence and barn for horses. Lots of great memories at the neighborhood rodeos, horseback riding, herding the cows for the dairy, racing through fields, and learning the responsibilities of horse care.Momma invited Marcella to move in with her in October of 1997, and became Moms fulltime care giver until Moms passing in December 1, 2023 - thats 26 years together. They had a lot of good times. She was a very caring Momma. Marcella affirmed Momma as the best Momma there ever was.Lynns reflections/memoriesRay remembers Mom and Dad supporting his slot car hobby, bought him a violin (he still has it) for the Jr. High orchestra, provided piano lessons, attended church softball games, high school plays and musical, and the family sing-alongs. Mom and Dad were very supportive of Rays college endeavors as well by attending both undergrad and seminary graduations in Texas.A lot more could be said about our sweet Momma, but suffice it to say, she was a sweet, caring, compassionate Christian woman who loved her family, loved her friends, and loved he Savior.She was a prayer warrior and dear woman of faith. She will be greatly missed. Momma took pride and joy in the legacy of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. We love you Momma.A funeral service will be held in the chapel of George H. Hewell and Son Funeral Home, 4140 University Boulevard, South Jacksonville, FL 32216 on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 10AM. The family will receive friends for a visitation at 9:30am prior to the funeral. Funeral Home Moloney-Hewell Funeral Home and Cremation Services 4140 University Blvd S Jacksonville FL - 32216 US (904) 737-4855 (904) 739-8159