Lou Ann Freas

Lou Ann Howe Freas, loving mother, and devoted ‘Nanu’ (grandmother) went to be with her Lord and Savior on October 8, 2019 at the age of 85. Lou Ann, the eldest of her four siblings, was born in Houston, TX to Margaret Leah Hager and Jessie Marvin Howe on September 30, 1934. She attended Jeff Davis High School. Although Lou Ann loved to ‘get in the car and go’ she planted her roots in Houston and was a native Houstonian. Family was everything to Lou Ann. She was happiest when she was surrounded by her four children; Loreen Carol Schneider, Billie Farris, Jr., Terri Lynn Chase, James Edwin Michie. She was the type of mother who encouraged them through challenges, provided wisdom when needed, and sang their praises during triumphs. Lou Ann’s legacy of love for family and Jesus will live on through them every single day. In 1989, Lou Ann felt led to open an after-school program in San Antonio which she named Grandparents Outreach. Lou Ann gathered a group of seniors who were willing to volunteer their time Monday through Friday to show compassion and mentor latchkey children. For years, Grandparents Outreach was a bright light for numerous children and families across the city. After the twelfth year, Former President George W. Bush awarded Grandparents Outreach the 350th “Point of Light”. This prestige award honors outstanding individuals who demonstrate integrity, empathy, respect, optimism, conviction in the face of opposition, and belief in the power of the human spirit to create positive change. Lou Ann encompassed these qualities until the moment she was greeted by her Lord and Savior. Lou Ann was ‘Nanu’ to fifteen grandchildren and twenty-two great grandchildren. She never missed a birthday or reason to celebrate and/or spoil her grandchildren. She knew all of their birthdays by heart and loved sharing stories about the first day she met them in the hospital. Nanu attended countless extracurricular activities her grandchildren were involved in and would always call and let them know she would be there rooting them on “God willing”. Preceding her in death were her parents, Mrs. Margaret Leah Hager and Step-father L.C. Hager; Father, Jesse Marvin Howe; Husband, Donald Verner Freas; two brothers, Glenn L. Howe and Richard W. Howe. Lou Ann leaves behind a sister and brother, Jesse Marie Hamlin and Loren Thomas Hager. Lou Ann is survived by her four children; Carol Schneider and her husband Thomas Schneider, Billie Farris and his wife Donna Farris, Terri Chase and her husband David Chase, James Michie and his wife Dina Michie; her grandchildren Tom Schneider and his wife Serena Schneider, Jason Schneider, Travis Schneider, Rachel Schneider, Michael Farris, Wendy Hann and her husband Lawrence Hann, Jarrod Reese and his wife Jessica Reese, Justin Reese and his wife Elena Reese, Justin Johnstone and his wife Leslie Johnstone, Lauren Johnstone, Brandon Johnstone, Robert Michie, Ryan Michie, Kaleigh Gibbons, Kambrie Michie; and 22 beautiful great-grandchildren as well as devoted friends. Lou Ann will be laid to rest on Monday, October 14th at Rosewood Funeral Home in Humble, TX. Viewing is from 11:00am-12:00pm. The service is at 12:00pm. Pallbearers will be Tom Schneider, Jason Schneider, Travis Schneider, Caleb Schneider, Michael Farris, Jarrod Reese, Justin Reese, Justin Johnstone, Brandon Johnstone, and Ryan Michie. The family would like to thank Compassionate Care Hospice of Bellville, TX. Especially Sasha Pacheco, Shellie Ford, and Chris Briggs for the love and compassion they gave to our Mother.