Towana L. Freeman, age 90, passed away on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at Alma Health and Rehab. She was born on April 3, 1933 in Alma. Towana lived most of her life in Fort Smith and was a long time, valued employee at Weldon Williams and Lick and retired from there. She was a dedicated member of First Free Will Baptist Church of Fort Smith, but recently attended Bethlehem Free Will Baptist Church in Van Buren with her daughter and family. She was strong in her faith in Jesus Christ and prayed daily for her family. Towana enjoyed cooking and it brought her much joy to decorate and open her home to friends and family for the holidays. She was a talented seamstress as well. She loved her family and didn’t miss any of her grandson’s ball games. She is preceded in death by her parents, Buell and Ora Dempsey, husband, Grady D. Freeman, Sr., her son, Grady D. Freeman, Jr. and her sister, Juanita Bercher.
She is survived by her daughter, Twila Ray and her husband Rod, of Rudy; four grandchildren, Zachary Ray (and his wife, Julie) and Quinton Ray (and his wife, Katie), both of Alma and Kyle Freeman and Tyler Freeman, both of Fort Smith. She is also survived by five great grandchildren, Rowen Grady-Ryan Ray, Ruby Ava-Marie Ray, Easton Dean Ray, Chandler Bradley Ray and Ryleigh Freeman, along with several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at Edwards Funeral Home.
Funeral Service will be 9:00 am Thursday, June 8, 2023 at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel, with burial to follow at Oak Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Zachary Ray, Quinton Ray, Kyle Freeman, and Tyler Freeman. Honorary Pallbearers will be Wendell Welbern, Jr., Gary O’Kelley, Philip Robbins, and Mike Franklin.
