Born on May 17, 1917, in Douglas County Verna R. Freeman, daughter of the late Christopher Columbus and Vianna (Loveall) Bell, was born on May 17, 1917, in Douglas County, and departed this life on Feb. 1, 2006, in the Hynes Hospice of St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kan., following a short illness. She was 88.
Verna grew up and attended school in Douglas County, and was united in marriage to James A. Freeman on Dec. 20, 1940l, in Ava. Three children were born to this union. They lived and farmed in north Missouri for 13 years and moved back to the Ozarks where they operated a store in the Vanzant area for nine years. Mr. Freeman preceded her in death on Dec. 15, 1988. She had made her home in Kansas for the past two years to be near her family.
Verna enjoyed being outdoors, especially when tending to her flower and vegetable gardens. She enjoyed quilting and cooking for her family and friends.
Besides her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Cecil Bell and Clyde Bell.
She is survived by two sons, James C. Freeman and his wife, Sandy, of Springfield, and Roger L. Freeman and his wife, Jana, of Enid, Okla.; one daughter, Vera Ann Collins and her husband, Charles, of Wichita, Kan.; nine grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Verna Freeman were held Saturday, Feb. 4, at 10 a.m., in the Craig-Hurtt-Bradley Funeral Home Chapel, Mtn. Grove, with the Rev. Dennis Snyder officiating. Burial was in the Pleasant Mound Cemetery.
