Freda Maxine Churchman

Freda Maxine Churchman, 91, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2025, in Bakersfield, California, surrounded by her family who held Freda with love and warmth as she took her final journey home. Born on September 9, 1933, in Carnegie, Oklahoma, Freda was the third of seven children born to Bill and Dessie Johnson. She graduated from Carnegie High School in 1950 and then attended college at Oklahoma College for Women where she graduated with a degree in teaching. Shortly after college, Freda moved to California to begin her 34 year career as an elementary school teacher, touching the lives of countless students before eventually retiring from Beardsley Elementary in 1998. She met the love of her life, Colby, and the two got married in 1957 and had four children together. As a couple, Colby and Freda lived an active lifestyle, being avid runners. Although, only starting to run at the age of 55, Freda ran nine marathons. In their retirement life, she and Colby enjoyed frequent RV trips to Pismo Beach, annual camping trips to McGee Creek and the Colorado River in Parker, Arizona, family reunion trips to Texas, and traveling all over the United States with their motorhome group, and their early-morning run/walks with Team Bagels & Blenderz. Freda loved playing Mahjong every week and getting together with her friends to play Bunco. She was a wonderful mom, grandma, and great-grandma, always showing up to support sports games, activities, and never missed a special moment in her family’s lives. She was a long-time member of Olive Knolls Nazarene Church, was well-known for her unwavering kindness and positive attitude towards everyone she came in contact with, and always having a cup of black coffee close by. Freda is survived by her loving husband of 68 years Colby, daughter Kim Morgan (Larry), sons Colby Churchman (Jeannine), Rocky Churchman (Lori) and Jet Churchman (Kristeen), grandchildren Nathan Morgan (Mandy), McCall Morgan, Jacob Morgan (Andrea), Baylie Churchman, Landon Churchman, Ava Churchman, Stone Churchman, Evan Churchman, Caden Churchman, five great-children, as well as her four younger sisters, Norma Silverstein, Karen Funkhouser, Linda Ray, and Glenda Tyler. Freda is preceded in death by her parents Bill and Dessie Johnson, brother Billy Johnson, sister Bea Smith, daughter-in-law Jeannine Churchman, and grandson Tyler Churchman. Freda will forever be missed, cherished, and remembered by all who had the honor of knowing her. A celebration of life to celebrate Freda will be held on August 12, 2025, 2:00 at Olive Knolls Nazarene Church at 6201 Fruitvale Avenue, Bakersfield, California. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Hoffmann Hospice.

Freda Maxine Churchman

September 9, 1933 - July 31, 2025

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Freda Maxine Churchman

September 9, 1933 - July 31, 2025

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