Jami Rachelle Freeman

JAMI'S JOURNEY

Jami Rachelle Freeman, daughter of Cindy Lou Walker and granddaughter of Doris D. Kane, passed away from her battle with cancer on Sunday, May 22, 2022. Jami went peacefully surrounded by loved ones. She had just celebrated her 40th birthday on April 29th. 

A native of Salisbury, MD, Ms. Freeman attended Delmar Elementary and Wicomico Middle School. She earned her high school diploma from Salisbury Christian School. Soon after, she was offered a full scholarship to attend Morgan State University and study music, but she chose a different route.  Some years later, she later enrolled at Walden University. It was there that Ms. Freeman graduated in 2019, earning her Master's Degree in Psychology with a focus on Social Change and Public Administration. She was in the process of earning her Doctorate Degree when she was diagnosed with stage IV cancer, but she didn't let that stop her.  She continued to take classes for as long as she could before having to pause her studies.

With her spirit of determination, Jami kept working as a recovery coach & trainer at the Psychiatric Institute of Washington (PIW) in Washington, DC. In addition to this, Ms. Freeman also worked as a Culturally Responsive Speaker and was an Entrepreneur, who started several businesses. Among them were FreeMore, Expressive Soul and her non-profit, OmniRise.

Jami was a shining beacon of love, empathy, generosity, and hard work. She was constantly thinking of ways to help others and improve the world around her. This was evident from her work with The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to her community work via her non-profit organization, OmniRise.

Jami enjoyed good food, great laughs, and spending time with close family and friends. She loved expressing her creative side through dancing, modeling, making music, doing make-up, photography, videography, and painting. It was through her business, Expressive Soul that she was able to unleash her creative spirit. While this was a great outlet for creativity, Jami's true passion was helping others through knowledge and education. 

Her work in the field of recovery led her down a path of teaching, much like her grandmother Doris, before her. Jami saw a future where people could uplift and heal one another, if we just choose to. She would always say: "Love heals all. So love NOW. Don't wait until someone is gone or something happens. Love NOW." This was at the heart of her work with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).

The original ACE study was conducted by the CDC and Kaiser Permanente, and it focused on how traumatic childhood events may negatively affect adult health. The study found a direct link between childhood trauma and the onset of chronic disease, incarceration, and employment changes in adulthood.

Spreading this knowledge was Jami's passion because she was a living example of how people could overcome their own ACEs. Having lost her mother at just 3 years old Jami, was all too familiar with pain and trauma. 
 

Jami is survived by her brother/cousin, Omar B. Jones, III "Jay", her nieces, Omari Jones and Kristyana Aaron Lynn Miles and her nephew, James Edward McLaurin, III "Jimmy". 

Ms. Freeman was preceded in death by her mother Cindy Lou Walker, her grandmother Doris D. Kane, her "Mum Mum" Lorraine June Walker, and her grandfather, James F. Freeman, Sr. 

If she could speak to us right now, she would say that: "Healing starts from within and no one is beyond saving." For so many people, Jami was a light in the darkness. She personified hope, grace, and unconditional love. That kind of spirit leaves its mark on you, and though we are in mourning, we must also remember to celebrate her - to smile, to dance, to Love NOW. We love you Jami and you will live on in our hearts forever! 
 

Lovingly Submitted by the Family

Note: Howell & Jolley Memorial Chapel, P.A. will comply with the COVID-19 rules regarding masks and safe social distancing. Therefore, anyone attending the viewing and/or funeral services must wear a mask.

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