A lifelong resident of the Ava community Retha J. Freeman, daughter of William T. Stout and Ella (Bell) Stout, was born on Nov. 5, 1918 in Bertha, Mo., and passed away on Nov. 23, 2008 at John Day, Ore., at the age of 90 years.
Retha was a lifelong resident of the Ava community. She was retired from Rawlings Sporting Goods in Ava. She also helped on the farm milking cows. On March 8, 1937 Retha and Louis Freeman were united in marriage at Drury, Mo., and to this union three children were born. Retha was a Christian and a devoted member of the Faith Rock Church in Ava. She loved her family, church family and her friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Louis in 1974; her son, Paul; three brothers; three sisters; and one grandson.
Retha is survived by two daughters, Betty and Jack Retherford, Mt. Vernon, Ore., and Karen Fahey, Marshfield, Mo.; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Service for Retha will be Monday, Dec. 1, 2 p.m. at the Faith Rock Church, Ava, Mo., with the Rev. Robert Grisham officiating. Interment will follow in the Brushy Knob Cemetery. The family requests memorials to the Faith Rock Church. Online condolences may be made to www. clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com.
