Lucille died on June 9, 2018. She had recently celebrated her 100th birthday. A milestone she had set for herself which she achieved as she did all her goals. How precious she has been our beloved mother, grandmother and dearest friend. Lucille Freeman took her last peaceful breath surrounded by those who loved her. So adored was she, her 100 years leave us with many wonderful and blessed memories.
Lucille was born at home in 1918 in Vivian, Louisiana. She was the daughter of Arrie Moore Barnett and Thomas Henry Barnett and the youngest of 5 girls born into the family. Lucille was pampered and cared for by her older sisters.
Lucille met John Warriner and married him in 1937 at the age of 19. They had a son, John Warriner, Jr., of Dallas, and a daughter, Arrie Jane Warriner Randall, of Houston. Following husband John’s death after a long term illness, Lucille found her ultimate happiness when she married Dr. Don Freeman, a Denison Pediatrician. Lucille is survived by her two children and grandson, Derek Warriner, granddaughter, Lori Warriner and two great granddaughters, Emma Warriner and Lia Warriner. Dr Don’s son, Bob Freeman of Longview, has been a supportive step-son that she loved like one of her own. Bob has said that he loved Lucille as the only mother he ever really had known. Lucille is also survived by her nephew who she called “Little Brother”, Dr. H.T. Garner of Monroe, Louisiana. For the past 30 years, Lucille and the entire family have considered Ava Lowe of Colorado a devoted second daughter and loved her accordingly.
Lucille was everything to her children, John and Jane. Their dad worked on the railroad and was often gone for weeks at a time so Lucille didn’t have it easy especially with two children that had asthma and required hospitalization frequently. She made sure her children stayed out of trouble. She was involved with their school life and served as President of the PTA throughout their school years. Lucille was a best friend to her children and was one of the gang with their friends. When Jane acquired her beginners driver’s license (which required an adult to be present) Lucille would ride jump seat in the car so she and her friends could drag main on the weekends. And, of course Lucille attracted the interest of more guys than she and her friends ever could have.
Even in their adult years, Lucille was a companion and confidant to the children. When Jane worked for American Airlines, Lucille would travel to New York where Jane was stationed and travel with her to visit St. Thomas, St. Croix, Aruba, Acapulco and Hawaii. But it was in Curacao that she learned how exciting foreign travel can really be. Jane and her mom were booked on a space available return flight to New York, due to her employment status with American. When they checked in at the airport there was no space for Lucille. Jane could fly in the jump seat but Lucille had to wait until the next day. Lucille returned to the hotel and was hit-on by a handsome stranger in the dining room. She escaped to her room and locked the door. Jane never left her behind again. Jane says there were other escapades they shared but has pledged her mom never to share.
John also has too numerous tales to tell. One night when he had a gang of his friends over to spend the night, they all slipped out his bedroom window from the second floor, slid passed Mom’s window, pushed the panel truck onto the road and went joy riding. What John’s friends never knew was that he had already told Mom they would be ‘sneaking out’ that night! Lucille insured the family home was open to all and often served lunches to Buddy’s pals. She loved to help people and was always a good friend participating in all of their activities. In the adult years, it was a rare occasion when John didn’t show up on Sundays to make breakfast and have a good catch up with Mom. Jane and John thank their mom for always being supportive and sharing her life in such a wonderful way and always encouraging them to be the best they could be.
One of the most significant aspects of Lucille’s 100-year adventure was her life and role as a grandmother. For the last 45 years of her life, she built and nurtured loving relationships with Derek and Lori that enriched both of them in ways that will endure for the rest of their own lives. Their “Mama” was never just a grandmother. When they were kids, she was their playmate and camp counselor. She thrilled them with long rides in her Cadillac while letting them talk to truck drivers on her CB radio. They played endless games of Candyland at Fannin House and swam together at Tanglewood. When they were teenagers, she was a faithful confidant that could always be trusted not to tell their parents mischievous details about their frequent visits. These mischievous details included “toilet-papering” neighborhood houses long after bedtime and allowing both of them to drive her big Cadillac years before they had drivers licenses. As adults, she would become a friend and travel companion. She flew to visit them in Florida and California during college. They came home to Texas and spent many days and hours playing Skip-Bo and eating poppy-seed bread at the farm. Even into her 80s and 90s, they enjoyed adventures to Miami, Las Vegas and even a journey across the Pacific Ocean to Seoul, South Korea with her son John to visit granddaughter Lori. This long and arduous trip came just a year after Lucille had her knee replaced. But nothing could stop her when she made up her mind to do something. Through it all, Lucille was unconditional in the giving of her love and affection to her grandchildren and it’s that love that changed them forever as people. Their devotion to her is absolute and eternal and will be shared with her great grandchildren – Emma Luna and Lia Soleil – for years to come.
Lucille loved to speed in one of her 19 Cadillacs. On one occasion during an ice storm she rolled her Cadillac off the slanted turn onto US75 from Eisenhower Parkway. The car caught fire but she managed to get back into it to rescue her beloved mink coat. But, this close call didn’t slow her down. A State Trooper, Jim Bob Walters, stopped her three times for speeding. He had to pursue her into her garage on the first occasion. Jim Bob thought that Lucille believed that if she could get the door closed he would go away. But, he managed to get to her before that happened. It occurred to him after the third stop that the only way he was going to save her life was to befriend her and convince her to obey the speed limits. Jim Bob and his wife, Valerie, and their lovely family became some of Lucille’s favorite visitors.
We shall all miss Lucille’s loving presence, including Lucy Dog. She attracted everyone she met with her warm smile, humor and sweet, loving, non-judgmental nature and forgiving heart.
The family wants to thank the incredibly supportive folks at the Home Hospice of Grayson County and the wonderful caregivers that made Lucille’s last years and especially the final days more comfortable. Sharon Patrick's care went “above and beyond” any employee. Mom was so fortunate to have Sharon as a dear friend who seldom missed a day to be by her side. Our gratitude is extended to Sharon’s husband Jerry, whose indispensable presence made things tick around the house for the past several years, Rita Murphy, Elizabeth Rae, Gloria Crockett and Tasha Hooper. They made the unbearable bearable for Lucille and her family.
Friends and family will be received for the visitation at Bratcher Funeral Home on Friday, June 15th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Lucille’s Funeral Services are Saturday June 16th at 11:00 AM at Bratcher Funeral Home with burial to follow Cedarlawn Memorial Park in Sherman, Texas.
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