Phyllis Freeman

Phyllis Freeman of Dumas passed away on July 10. She was born on July 3, 1925 in Pueblo, Colo. to Eugene Thomas and Leola Caroline Van Winkle, both from Colorado homestead families. She moved to Dumas in 1945 after marrying E.C. Freeman. Her love story started as a blind date with a dashing young Army Air Corps Lieutenant when she was a Colorado State Fair beauty. It continued for 70 and half years to the day. Her beauty was soul deep. She was active in the First United Methodist Church in Dumas where she taught the Susanna Wesley women's Sunday school class. She was a member of the choir there for 65 years, member of an early Morning Prayer group and founder of DMA (Don't Mention Age), a social activity organization for senior adults of all faiths started in the mid seventies and continues today. In addition, she was chairperson of every major Dumas charity and active in the Byway Garden Club, Cub Scouts, Girls Scouts, and two bridge clubs, one of which actually plays bridge. In 1974, she was selected Woman of the Year by the Dumas Chamber of Commerce. She and her husband, E.C. Freeman, owned and operated Freeman's Furniture and Appliance in Dumas for 42 years. She was a lover of people, flowers, a beautiful home, ice cream and the colors yellow and purple. She was a maker of friends, strong families, cheese soup and perfect chocolate cake. She saw beauty and kindness in everything and everybody. She is survived by her husband, E.C. Freeman; sons, Mickey Freeman (Pat), Carell Freeman (Linda); daughter, Jeanie Shearouse (Rev. Rick); grandchildren, Rev. Emily Freeman Penfield (Matthew), Rev. David Freeman (Katie), Shelbie Shave (Jason), Josh Shearouse, Sage Shearouse, Caroline Shearouse, Kelly Tribell, Todd Terry and Amy Verrett; great-grandchildren, Caroline Penfield, Eliza Penfield, Emily Ann Freeman, Hannah Freeman, Lauren Perry, Emma Verrett, Destiny Shave, Emery Shave, Steele Shave, Emma Tribell and Hayes Tribell. She was predeceased by two brothers, Richard "Rip" and Lawrence Van Winkle. Visitation held Monday, July 14, 2014 from 5-7 p.m., First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Services held Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at 2 p.m., First United Methodist Church with Rev. Emily Freeman Penfield, Rev. David Freeman, Rev. Tandy Hanson and Rev. Rick Shearouse. Interment will follow in Walnut Lake Cemetery. The family thanks the staff of Dumas Assisted Living, Arkansas Hospice, the nurses at Delta Memorial Hospital and UAMS. Special thanks to her caregivers, Johnnie Grider, Maria Lozano, Debra Stokes, Cordella Shields and Suzette Ross. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the First United Methodist Church in Dumas or Arkansas Hospice. Arrangements by Griffin Funeral Home, Dumas, Ark.