Cornelia Rickenbaker Freeman signed the very first "Expression of Interest" form in 2002. She was already a resident of the community and in fact was already in a " first category since she was the first person to enter the community to live in the assisted living area with the full intention of moving into the first available independent apartment. She called it camping out and shared her time between Still Hopes and her home on Heathwood Circle. Her sons were apprehensive about her living alone in a large house and urged her to consider the move.

Mrs. Freeman is quick to state her age as a ninety-seven although she does not fit the typical stereotype of one of such advanced years. Her wit and sparkle is evident from the first moment of contact. She has accomplished much during her lifetime I can't name them all . She grew up on a farm near Cameron S.C. and attended Columbia College after high school. She has maintained a very close relationship with the college since graduating. She was honored by receiving the Columbia College Medallion, which is one of the highest honors awarded by the school.

She married Robert E. L. Freeman and returned to Cameron for a few years while he served in the military. They were very active in civic affairs in Columbia. Bo Freeman served four terms on the Columbia City Council and after that was appointed by Governor Dick Riley to serve on the Board of Tourism. Cornelia was quite active in music clubs and became a Vice-President of the National Federation of Music Clubs and traveled over much of this country speaking at various functions on their behalf. There is today a concert series held at the University of South Carolina School of Music each September, which bears her name. She was not the first, but was the second woman to serve as a steward of Washington Street United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Freeman has a numerous amount of cousins but it is certainly nice to be recognized as one of them. When my older daughter made her debut many years ago, Cornelia brought her these gorgeous white Camellias from bushes which had been transplanted form her family home in Cameron. Then, when the second daughter was married, she brought a wedding gift of an exquisite hand-painted celery dish which had been a wedding gift to her mother from our great grandmother, Caroline Salley Heyward. And all in between the lunches, invitations, the many kind acts are too much to mention. Certainly it is a rare privilege to be called "Cousin" by such an outstanding, thoughtful, and caring lady.