Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
BirthAug 8, 1945, Akron, Summit County, Ohio3, Alana Freed Roane,470, Alana Freed Roane
DeathJun 12, 2010, Burlington, Alamance County, North Carolina3, Alana Freed Roane,470, Alana Freed Roane
FatherAlbert James FREED (1921-1965)
MotherBetty Lou BEAN (1922-1998)
Obituary Online notes for Alana FREED
6/15/2010

Alana Freed Roane
   BURLINGTON — Alana Freed Roane, 64, died at her home in BurlingtononJune12, 2010 after a long illness.

   Born in Akron, Ohio on August 8, 1945, she was the daughter of the late Betty Lou Greene and legendary disc jockey, Alan Freed, who is credited with coining the phrase “Rock n’ Roll.”

   Alana had lived in Alamance County since 1961. She was retired after working for 23 years with Beneficial Finance and was a member of Hillside Presbyterian Church in Burlington.

   Survivors include her husband, Robert E.C. Roane Jr.; sons, Gregory Alan Hagwood and wife Mandy of Whitsett, and Robert E.C. Roane III of Burlington; grandchildren, Tyler Hagwood and Aaron Hagwood; stepgrandchildren, Austria Pinnix, Tate Pinnix both of Whitsett and Robert E.C. Roane IV of Burlington; brothers, Lance Freed and Culleen Casanova of Santa Monica, Calif., Alan Freed Jr. and Michael Greene of Graham; sisters, Pam and Jimmy Huffines of Elon, Teri Matkins of Burlington, Patti Brightman and Cindy Green, both of La-Fayette, Ind. and Siegie Freed, M.D.; and two puppies, Sophie and Sadie.

   Her tireless efforts over many years to insure that the legacy and the contributions of her father would be remembered and recognized eventually earned him a place in musical history as the father of Rock n’ Roll. Those same efforts helped lead to the creation of the $125,000,000 Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, which opened its doors on the shores of Lake Erie in 1995.

   Alana championed the civil rights aspect of this ground-breaking music in countless articles, in books and interviews during her life. Her work contributed to the historical recognition that early Rock n’ Roll music helped break down racial barriers and prejudices.

   It was her family that always came first for Alana. Her care and love for her family served as an example of selfless love to which we can all aspire. Her radiant smile, uncanny sense of humor and her generous spirit will burn as a beacon of light and remembrance in the hearts and memories of her family and friends forever.

   A service to celebrate her life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 19, 2010 at Hillside Presbyterian Church by the Rev. William Prince. The church is located at 3743 Maple Ave., Burlington, N.C. 27215, exit 145 Burlington/ Liberty off I-85. The family will receive friends after the service at Hillside Presbyterian Church and at other times at her home at 2006 Rendall St. in Burlington.

   Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, N.C. 27215 or to the American Cancer Society, 4-A Oak branch Drive, Greensboro, N.C . 27407.

   Rest in Peace Alana.

   You may sign the online register book at
www.lowefuneralhome.com 3, Alana Freed Roane
Last Modified Oct 23, 2024Created Feb 28, 2025 using Reunion for Macintosh
Created Feb 28, 2025 by Terry M. Whitesell

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