By Mark Rosman
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — A lifelong resident of Freehold Borough marked a milestone in her life this week as Anna Straws celebrated her 104th birthday on Nov. 8.
Richard Freeman, who has known Anna for decades through their mutual affiliation with the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Waterworks Road, called her his mentor.
He said that in the early 1950s, Anna was the superintendent of the Bethel AME Church school.
Freeman said he moved to Freehold Borough from Detroit in the mid-1950s and eventually succeeded Anna as the superintendent of the church school.
He held the superintendent’s position for several decades.
Freeman, who taught band at Freehold High School from 1972-85, said Anna lives with her nieces, the Duckenfield family.
She worked in maintenance at the Monmouth County Hall of Records in the borough for many years.
Freeman said Anna is still a regular attendee at the Bethel AME Church’s Sunday services.
