NO MATTER where you live in Bedford County, mention the name Virginia Freeman and faces light up. “The mold was thrown away after God made her,” and “God has blessed her, and everyone who knew her was blessed,” are two of the many phrases that follow her name — along with character traits like sweetheart, dedicated nurse, giving person, and compassionate friend.
For over four decades, Virginia served as a registered nurse. She began her career working for cardiologist Dr. Fred Ownby before continuing her career at the Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Clinic of Shelbyville, where she worked for 28 years.
Virginia and her husband, Tyson, married in October 1990 and have three daughters: Jill McKamey, Wendy Martin, and Lauren Byrd, as well as four grandchildren. Her faith, family, playing the piano, and nursing were the four most important aspects of Virginia’s life. She always worked hard to be the very best wife, mother, and grandmother she could be.
For the last 15 years, Virginia played the piano every Sunday for her congregation at Blankenship Community Church. Then five years ago, before her health began to decline, she would play piano for her church, then drive across town to her son-in-law Rob McKamey’s church at North Fork Baptist and play for his congregation as well.
“My mom was the most kind, loving, thoughtful, and selfless person I know,” her daughter, Lauren, said. “To know her was to love her. I wish everyone could have a mom or someone in their life like her. She was always so sweet and cheerful. She was her family and friends’ biggest fan, and if you were ever looking for a helping hand or a pep talk, she was always there. She was truly one of a kind and loved by so many.”
As a nurse, when Virginia wasn’t rushing from exam room to exam room, checking on patients or charting their progress, she was returning calls, even when that meant working past normal office hours.
“Her biggest challenge was knowing when to stop,” Lauren said. “She could never find a stopping point to go home for the day. It truly made her happy just knowing she was helping others, no matter how big or small the task was. She always had two speeds — fast and faster — and through her journey with osteosarcoma, she had to learn patience and how to just be able to stop and enjoy life at a different pace.”
After Lauren returned from her honeymoon in September 2023, Virginia shared her cancer diagnosis with the family. Though doctors had already disclosed it to Virginia, she carefully guarded the news to ensure that Lauren’s wedding to Mason Byrd remained a joyful occasion.
“What should’ve been some of the happiest days of my life — after that phone call — instead turned into some of the worst and hardest days,” Lauren said. “Looking back, I have to look at the positive side and say I got married at the right time because Mason has been my rock through this whole journey, which helped me be strong for my mom and dad.”
Virginia spent most of her life caring for others, but her cancer diagnosis meant that she had to become the patient. “I have always known my mom was a strong woman, but with every obstacle that was thrown her way, she never gave up; she kept pushing,” Lauren said. “Instead of just throwing her hands up and saying, ‘I can’t do this,’ she took a deep breath, regrouped, and adjusted to the new challenges ahead of her. She was not alone, and we as a family were there, encouraging and cheering her on every step of the way. This diagnosis wasn’t just for her. Yes, she was the one physically going through it, but it was a family diagnosis — we’ve all been affected by it.”
Lauren, who also earned a degree in nursing, shared her mom’s advice. “Through hard work and dedication, you can always achieve your dreams. Each year, I try to set attainable goals for myself and my family. I keep working toward my goals until I reach them. Mom also taught me to lend a helping hand any chance I can.”
Because of the outstanding care Virginia provided as a nurse, in July 2021, the daughter of one of her patients nominated her for a DAISY Award, which honors nurses for extraordinary compassion and excellence, recognizing their profound impact on patients and their families. The submission, which was selected for the DAISY Award, included this testimony: “My father suffered a massive heart attack and developed severe heart failure. It is like walking a tightrope, so to speak, trying to maintain a healthy fluid level. The last time my dad was fluid overloaded, the doctor was out of town. His nurse, Virginia, said that she would speak with Dr. Fong and call back with instructions. Virginia called at 7 p.m. from the office. She had stayed in the office until all calls were returned, as promised. This is above and beyond expectations. Anyone else would have put off return calls until the next day. Virginia is someone with a moral code and a heart of gold. She treats my dad like her family.”
On Nov. 15, 2025, the Great Physician called Mary Virginia Freeman to her eternal home. Lauren said, “My sweet mama gained her angel wings.” GN
