Nelda Nelle Freeman

Nelda Nelle Elder Freeman was born January 25, 1929 in Altus, Oklahoma to Mark Gray Elder and Ethel Ruby Hill Elder. She passed through the gates of glory to be with her Lord around 6 a.m. on September 15, 2020.

Nelda was raised on a farm in West Texas, until the unexpected death of her father when she was 11. With her mother and younger brother, Mark, the family returned to Altus. There Nelda graduated from Altus High School, where she was a twirler in the marching band.

On April 10, 1948, she married Jack Russell Freeman, a WWII veteran, after a whirlwind romance, and in 2019 they celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary.

For many years, Nelda worked for the Oklahoma City Public Schools as a secretary for Dr. Lonnie Gilliland, Sr., in the Safety Department. Dr. Gilliland moved to Central State University to open the Safety Education Department and asked her to join him as the chief secretary. Dr. Gilliland retired and his son, Lonnie, Jr. took over. She stayed with the department until her retirement.

Nelda was a long-time member of Trinity Bible Church in Oklahoma City, where she had a lot of loving friends. She loved the Lord and His Word, consistently reading her Bible and seeking to live by its truths.

Nelda is preceded in death by her parents, Mark and Ethel Elder, her brother Mark Elder, and her loving husband, Jack Freeman.

She is survived by her sister, Monna Ireland of Yukon, OK, and sister-in-law, Lis Elder, of Vermont, son, Drue Freeman and his wife Helen, of Yukon, and Mark Stephen Freeman and his wife, April, of Ventura, CA.In addition, she is survived by grandchildren Jenifer Freeman of Tecumseh, OK and her fiancé Tristan, and Bradley Freeman and his wife Christy, plus grandchildren Trevor Coldwell and Kailyn and Joseph Freeman.Nelda was also very close to her nieces and their families, including Staci Hensley and her husband, Coy, and their children, Logan and Emily Hensley of Norman; and Cynthia Hughes and her children, Laurel, Sam and Olivia Hughes, of Yukon.She is also survived by her long-time friends John and Mary Lucero and Kendall Newman, who were as close to her as family.

Nelda was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and she will be greatly missed.

The Freeman family wishes to thank everyone for their prayers and support.