Elizabeth Anne Freeman

Elizabeth Anne Freeman, 66, of sunny New Port Richey, FL, passed away on December 08, 2025. Born on February 24, 1959 to two adoring parents, Phillip and Sally Spivey, Elizabeth was a bundle of joy from the very beginning. She inherited a love for fashion, style, and sewing from her mother, and she enjoyed designing and sewing her own clothing. She even did a little modeling during and after high school. Throughout high school, she was known for her bright and sunny nature, her warm and friendly smile, and her natural beauty that radiated from within.

After graduating from Sandalwood High School in Jacksonville, FL, she explored her love of adventure and worked as a flight attendant for Piedmont Airlines. This career move took her to Key West, where she met a charismatic goofball named Mel Freeman. Eventually, Elizabeth moved to Key West to be with Mel, where she worked at a record store called The Tape Ape, and she continued to develop her wide and eclectic appreciation for music. Her favorite genres were country and rock, but she could jam to just about anything. Some of her favorites included David Bowie, Prince, Stevie Nicks, Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Sade, Sting, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, Jimmy Buffet, Snoop Dogg, and many, many more. Mel and Beth enjoyed several years enjoying the beach and the company of their many, many friends. In 1988, Elizabeth and Mel were married by the pool in their beloved Birkenstock sandals, and shortly after she gave birth to her first daughter, Irene Lee Freeman. The uncanny thing about the name Irene, is that both Beth and Mel had deeply beloved grandmothers named Irene. It was just one of those things that seemed meant to be.

Elizabeth, Mel, and Irene eventually found themselves in New Port Richey, a quiet little town on the Pithlachascotee River (and only a few minutes from Beth’s sanctuary: the beach). They settled and built a life there, and brought two more children into the world, Lauren Elizabeth Freeman in 1992, and Xander (Aubreigh Katren) Freeman in 1995. Elizabeth worked as a stay-at-home-mom and homemaker for many years, and her children fondly remember their homemade dresses, toys, curtains, and more. Elizabeth had a knack for creating something beautiful out of nothing; life was expensive with three kids on a single income, but Elizabeth had grown up reading The Little House on the Prairie, and she lived by quotes like this one:

“The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.” (Laura Ingalls Wilder)

A lifelong thrifter, Elizabeth had the unique ability to find treasures where others saw only trash. She instilled this thrifting skill in her children, as well as a love of all things vintage and retro. While her children were growing up, she exposed them to great films of the Golden Age of Hollywood, like Meet Me in St. Louis, The Maltese Falcon, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Some Like it Hot, and more. Elizabeth loved to laugh, and she frequently watched I Love Lucy and The Golden Girls, two of her all-time favorite shows. Her favorite holidays were Thanksgiving and Christmas, because she was able to have all her loved ones near to her, cook for them, and shower them with love. 

Although Beth and Mel divorced some years later, they remained friends and co-parented their children before co-parenting was a popular concept. Elizabeth worked as an office administrator for several high profile construction companies and she excelled in her work. However, she frequently reminded her children that her greatest accomplishment was being a mother. Her children were and will always be her pride and joy. Nothing brought her greater happiness than seeing her kids and sharing a laugh with them. Through life’s many trials, she always showed love, compassion, empathy, patience, and forgiveness. She was and is the embodiment of unconditional love. A lifelong Christian and devoted to her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, this piece of scripture embodies her perfectly: 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) 

Elizabeth joins her mother, Sally Spivey, her father, Phillip Spivey, her brother, John Spivey, her nephew, Michael Brown, and many, many other beloved family members of proud Irish and German heritage in Heaven. She is survived by her children, Irene, Lauren, and Xander Freeman; her siblings, Scott Spivey, Greg Spivey, and Cindy Brown; as well as many family members and friends who will miss her dearly.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. (Revelation 21:4) 

There are many Beth’s in the world, shy and quiet, sitting in corners till needed, and living for others so cheerfully that no one sees the sacrifices till the little cricket on the hearth stops chirping, and the sweet, sunshiny presence vanishes, leaving silence and shadow behind. (Louisa May Alcott, Little Women) 

Life is worth living as long as there's a laugh in it. (Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables)

Funeral services are provided by Faupel Funeral Home. Burial and Celebration of Life to be held at Heartwood Preserve Conservation Cemetery on Saturday, December 27th and 2:00 PM.