Geneva Ofallin Freeman

Geneva Freeman passed away on June 29, 2025 in St. Joseph Hospital with her family at her bedside - just 6 days before her 93rd birthday. Geneva was born on July 5, 1932. She is the daughter of Earl and Annie Ofallin. Geneva was born in Normangee, Texas. Soon after her birth, she moved with her parents to Bryan, Texas where she was raised and lived her entire life.

In May of 1949, Geneva graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School and then attended McKenzie-Balwin business college. Geneva began working for R. B. Butler Construction Company as Mr. Butler’s secretary immediately after graduating. At Butler, she met a handsome WWII veteran named Ernest Freeman. Soon they began dating and married on June 3, 1951. On Ernest’s birthday in 1952, they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Pamela Freeman – now Pamela Carter. Two years later a son was born to them, Rick Freeman. Geneva was also blessed to be a grandmother of two - Chris Carter and Amanda Smith - and a great-grandmother of three - Connor Smith, Grace Carter, and Hannah Smith.

Geneva Freeman dedicated her life to taking care of her parents, husband, children, and friends. And she did it wonderfully. Her children describe that her floors were so clean “you could eat off them.” Geneva’s father died in 1962 and she took care of her mother for the next 33 years – until her mother’s death at 95. Geneva loved to cook and bake. She always had meals on the table when Ernest arrived home from work. She drove her son and daughter to all their extracurricular activities until Pam was old enough to drive – at which point Pam began driving Rick to his activities. Pam and Rick were very active in 4-H. Geneva acted as an adult leader for 4-H. Whether Pam was in cooking competitions or sewing competitions or raising chickens, Geneva was always involved with her and never missed a competition. When Rick was raising pigs or chickens or judging livestock, Geneva was involved. Geneva never missed a game in which Rick’s sports team played – baseball or football, in town or out of town.

When Ernest retired in 1984, Geneva and he became very involved in the activities of the Steep Hollow community. They were members of the Baptist church and had the chance to travel – something they did not have time to do before Ernest’s retirement. They vacationed and took cruises with their friends in the community. Geneva very much enjoyed the Steep Hollow women’s group that met once a month. She especially enjoyed having the women’s group to her house during the Christmas holidays each year. In 1997, to the great surprise of their children, Ernest and Geneva built a new house … right next door to the house that Ernest had built in 1952 and in which they had raised Pam and Rick.

When Ernest developed Parkinson's disease in his later years. Geneva, as was her wont, took great care of him. When Ernest passed away in 2006, Geneva began taking care of ladies in the community and in the church, especially enjoying the time they spent together on Sunday afternoons. She continued to nurture her old friendships and reached out to make new friends. She and two lady friends, all in their 70’s and 80’s, traveled together - on occasion driving as far as Branson, Missouri and Colorado Springs, Colorado. Geneva was deeply involved in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, creating cherished memories—whether combing the shoreline, casting a line at the tank, or simply sharing laughter—and was deeply loved by each of them. Geneva continued to live independently until she was 92.

In the last year of her life, Geneva encountered a number of health issues that slowed her down. But she continued to have a zest for living. She lived the last year of her life at Crestview Retirement Community. There she made new friends and had new stories to tell Pam and Rick. She enjoyed having her hair done by Adelita each week, getting manicures, and playing Bingo and dominoes. She loved the residents of Crestview and the staff who provided care at Crestview, and they loved her.

Geneva is survived by her daughter Pamela Carter and her son-in-law James Carter along with her grandchildren Amanda Smith (Anthony) and Chris Carter (Melissa) and her three great-grandchildren, Connor Smith, Grace Carter, and Hannah Smith. Geneva is also survived by her son Rick Freeman and her daughter-in-law, Maggie H. Freeman.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Crestview Retirement Community for the care and kindness they provided to Geneva during her time there. They also wish to express their appreciation to the doctors and nurses at St Joseph Hospital for their kindness and consideration during the last hours of Geneva’s life.

There will be a memorial service and celebration of Geneva’s life at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at 1pm. Immediately after the service, a reception will be held at Memorial Funeral Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Crestview Covenant Fund (a fund that covers the expenses for Crestview residents who no longer can afford to pay for care at Crestview) at www.mrcaff.org/giving or to the Brazos Valley Meals on Wheels at https://payments.bvcog.org/Product/meals-on-wheels or a charity of your choice.