Freida McCormick

Freida McCormick, 86, of Waco and Snyder, Texas passed away on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at the home of her son, Blaine, with her daughter-in-law and two of her granddaughters alongside. Freida will be remembered for her love of her family, her example of generosity, and her active Christian faith.

Freida Yvona Melton was born to Dois and Oneida Melton at the home of Dr. Wayman Alfred Seydler, D.O., in Morton, Texas, on November 1, 1938. Born premature and struggling to breathe, the resourceful Dr. Seydler, also an engineer, quickly built an oxygen-rich incubator to keep her alive while he worked to save her mother’s life. Freida was so small that a man’s handkerchief served as her diaper and she slept in a shoebox. The family later worked for Dr. Seydler cleaning and disinfecting his medical office and this is where Freida inherited her impeccable housekeeping skills. She and her sister, Vernelle, attended elementary school in both Levelland and Merkel, Texas. During her childhood years, she discharged a live round of ammo indoors – a distinction held by only one other member of her immediate family. The Melton’s followed the oil boom to Snyder, Texas where she learned to love school and ultimately graduated from Snyder High School in 1957 serving as Student Council Vice President her final two years. She attended Abilene Christian College for one year as a business major and then transferred to Draughon’s Practical Business College to train as a secretary.

She married her high school sweetheart, Keith McCormick, on March 31, 1960, after writing this note in his senior yearbook: “Thank you so much for showing me so many perfect times and I hope that for whatever happens in the future, we will always be the best of friends.” In May 1961, Keith graduated from Abilene Christian and the young married couple discovered that Lamesa, Texas, would be their home for the next three decades. Keith and Freida adopted their first two children in 1963 and 1964 thereby beginning a lifelong love for children who needed new parents. This blossomed into foster care in the late 1960’s and Freida lovingly cared for the many foster children who came through her home for a brief time. Freida parlayed her secretary training into positions at churches in Kentucky and Texas and also at a veterinary clinic. She also led the work teams at the family cotton farms each summer.

Freida pioneered the “Cradle Roll” Sunday school programming for babies at the North 14th Street Church of Christ in Lamesa teaching many young children to love the Bible but also not put it in their mouth. A lifelong member of the Churches of Christ, Freida had many precious friends at the North 14th Street Church of Christ in Lamesa, Hillcrest Church of Christ in Abilene, the Salado Church of Christ, and others. Keith and Freida ultimately moved to Waco to be closer to their youngest grandchildren and enjoyed the many sporting events they attended. She was a member of the Hewitt Church of Christ in Hewitt, Texas, at the time of her passing.

Freida is proceeded in death by Keith, husband of 64 years. She is survived by her brother-in-law C.E. McCormick, Jr. of Kerrville and sister-in-law, Linda McCormick Heath of Salado. She is survived by children Bret McCormick and wife Teri of

Bentonville, Arkansas; Dee Ann McCormick of Copperas Cove, Texas; and Blaine McCormick and wife Sarah of Waco. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Clint McCormick, Whitney McCormick Jackson and husband Blake, Payton McCormick, Ellis McCormick, Miriam McCormick, and Beatrice McCormick. She is also survived by seven great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Cherokee Home for Children, P.O. Box 295, Cherokee, TX 76832 or visit www.chc4kids.org. Please write Freida McCormick on a memo line so the family can express their appreciation for the gift.