Remembering my friend Shannon

Photo credit: Shari Barr at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Statesboro

Eulogy for Shannon Freeman Killebrew, 8/1/70-12/25/25A Warrior for Medical Rights Note: This eulogy was presented on January 17, 2025 at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Statesboro as part of a Celebration of Life for Shannon Freeman Killebrew. She was the Founder of the Facebook Advocacy Group called Shannon's Hope for House Calls and Home Medical Care. She received many accolades for her work, including the 2023 NORD Rare Impact Award with a presentation in Washington, D.C. I accepted the award on her behalf. Her dedication, advocacy and her spirit will be memorialized and carried on. I’m originally from Statesboro, GA and I knew Shannon as a child. We reconnected over FaceBook several years ago in what I like to consider as the internet’s version of the town newspaper.

Today, we come together as a community to honor Shannon’s spirit in the way she lived — and to carry her forward by sharing moments with one another of how she continues to live on through us.

I first knew Shannon in grade school — with braids, glasses, freckles, and a quiet sweetness. Even then, she missed a lot of school and seemed delicate, but she was observant and deeply kind. Looking back, I see how that gift of observation and empathy became her super power.

It was important to Shannon that we say a blessing for her afterlife. She deeply believed in Jesus and heaven, and she took comfort in the hope of being reunited with her beloved grandparents. We honor that part of her faith today with care and respect.

In the Book of Daniel, the angel Michael is named as one who stands watch and fights on behalf of the people — a defender who rises to protect others.

I believe Shannon reflected the spirit of Michael through the way she used her lived experience to advocate for the greater good of so many. And now, she is at peace in the heaven she imagined and trusted in — a place that brought her comfort and hope.

Isaac Watts, the prolific 17th-century hymn writer who authored more than 750 hymns, also lived with long-term illness. His life reflected the same endurance and determination that Shannon carried so fully, which gives special meaning to sharing his words this morning:

O God, our help in ages past,Our hope for years to come,Our shelter from the stormy blast,And our eternal home.

Shannon’s life and spirit have made an indelible mark on Statesboro and far beyond. Even in the smallest moments we share today, we are carrying her spirit forward in a truly meaningful way.

Shannon was a lifelong friend to many — a kind and understanding soul who demonstrated the rare patience to meet people exactly where they were. She listened deeply and made people feel seen in ways that stayed with them.

She was also brave. Shannon shared deeply personal parts of her own journey because she believed honesty could make other people’s lives better — more connected, more understood, and enriched. She believed in removing barriers to improve lives, including her own.

Shannon loved animals, especially her beloved pets — including her husky, Hannah. At one time, she dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. When health challenges arose during college, she chose to study forensic accounting instead, a path that allowed her to build a life of independence, purpose, and service.

She was incredibly thoughtful and detail-oriented, designing every aspect of her home to support her physical needs. Later, from her bedroom, she managed staffing, maintained a household, and carried out advocacy and outreach that extended far beyond the four walls of her room.

She had a deep appreciation for everyday experiences — a good cup of coffee, a piece of chocolate cake, a glass of wine, a walk on the beach — moments we often move through quickly. She noticed these experiences because she loved sharing them with others and felt deeply connected through them. She reminded us to slow down and appreciate each moment as a gift.

Shannon lived vicariously through the joys of others. She felt a special kinship with children and families, her beautifully kept yard, holiday decorations, and the neighborhood stray cats. She remained actively engaged with the world. Technology and photographs became bridges, connecting her meaningfully with people across the globe. She loved to mail cards to people and send little gifts to little ones.

Shannon was a guide, a teacher, a fighter, and a friend — to many. Her presence was steady, her curiosity genuine, and her care expansive. She showed us what it means to stay connected, even when the world places limits on one’s body.

May we carry forward the spirit of protection, advocacy, and care that Shannon lived — standing watch for one another, just as she did.