Lois Marie Freeman

Lois Marie Kelley Freeman enjoyed and followed Jesus throughout every season of her beautiful life of 93 years and was welcomed into her eternal home by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 4, 2026, Independence Day!

On January 30, 1933, Clarence Crane Kelley and his lovely wife, Lois, along with their first daughter, Eloise, completed their family with the arrival of Lois Marie. The Kelley family flourished at home on South Street and in the community of Beaumont, Texas, where Lois made life-long friends from kindergarten onward. With her sister and girlfriends, Lois spent summers on horseback at their ranch outside of Utopia, Texas, where both parents’ ancestors had settled several generations before.

The Texas Hill Country was just as much a part of Lois’ childhood as Beaumont where she was voted Miss Congeniality as a high school senior and was a varsity cheerleader for the Beaumont Purples. After high school graduation, she attended SMU where she majored in Home Economics, was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, served as a campus leader, and was elected Homecoming Queen her sophomore year in 1952.

After college graduation, Lois worked at Humble Oil in Houston and attended the singles Sunday School class at St. Paul’s Methodist Church. There she would meet and marry the pastor’s oldest son, Dick Freeman, and begin an adventure of 58 years of marriage and ministry together. They would serve Methodist churches in Texas City, Cameron, Dallas, Waco, Bedford, and Ft. Worth before following their grown children and their families to San Antonio where they enjoyed the last two decades of their golden years.

Anyone who was a part of First Methodist Waco in the 70s and 80s and early 90s loved and admired Lois Marie who was a constant companion and support to their pastor and a devoted mother to the “three Ks”: Karen Marie, Kelley, and Kirk. Most accepted the fact that keeping Lois Marie around meant that the bishop couldn’t move Rev. Freeman, and so they faithfully served for 25 years in Waco.

While they were respected leaders in the Waco community with a full family life, Lois Marie was also a genuine friend to her neighbors and to those who might not have a friend were it not for her -- whether young or old, she made each person feel special and seen. Close up or from a distance, Lois Marie was always the same wonderful lady with her striking trademark smile and unique brand of sparkle. She was a joy to be around, and laughter and encouragement flowed naturally whenever she was with others.

Her children knew her as a faithful and beautiful mom who listened well and was always up for a scoop of ice cream to sweeten the day. Her grandchildren rarely heard her complain and will remember the way she turned simple mishaps into a reason to be glad: a spill always became a clean spot, and sincere gratitude overcame many moments of disappointment. She appreciated the beauty of the clouds, the vibrant colors of crepe myrtles and Texas wildflowers, and GranLoisie was a backyard bird watcher who could identify many species and shared this pleasure with her grandchildren. Even in her final days, when the names of birds, flowers, and many people she loved escaped her, she never lost her kindness, positivity, gentle spirit, and quick wit.

Most importantly, Lois Marie was a constant friend of Jesus. Her heart of empathy evidenced their deep friendship, and her presence consistently drew others nearer to Him. She would still clasp hands with you in prayer knowing that God knew, even when she could no longer always articulate her thoughts. And today, more than any other day, we are confident that as Lois Marie often said, “all is well.”

Lois Marie is celebrating in heaven as she is reunited with many who have been waiting to welcome her: her beloved husband, Dick Freeman; her parents, C.C. and Lois Kelley, her sister, Eloise Evans and brothers-in-law, Richard Evans, John Freeman, and Larry Freeman as well as many other dear family and friends.

Lois Marie is survived by her children: Karen Marie Cook and her husband, David; Kelley Freeman and his wife, Julie; and Kirk Freeman and his wife, Debbie; as well as her sisters-in-law, Sherry Freeman and Becky Freeman. She also leaves her legacy through her grandchildren: Katie Freeman, John Freeman, Lexie and Kyle Chapman, Ellie and Ben Fain, Annie and Jake Miller, Sarah Grace Freeman, Hannah Cook, and Mary Callen and Wyatt Mumfrey; and her five great grandchildren: Samuel, Wesley, Frances Marie, Sophia, and William; as well as many cherished in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends. Though Lois Marie will be deeply missed, her love, kindness, and persistent joy will remain in the hearts of those who knew her.

A celebration of Lois Marie Kelley Freeman’s life will be held on Sunday, July 12 at 3:00 p.m. at Crossbridge Community Church located at 25700 Overlook Parkway in San Antonio, Texas. The service will be livestreamed via https://vimeo.com/event/6036127/3196c5df9.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to CrossBridge Community Church through check or online at crossbridgecommunitychurch.com. Please add Lois Freeman Memorial or click special designation online.