Vera Viola Freeman

Vera “Shorty” Freeman left us on Thursday, February 9th 2023 at the age of 98. She was born in Lindsay, CA on April 14th, 1924 to Pete and Norabelle Creamer. She outlived two brothers- Bill Creamer and Jack Creamer and her sister Idabelle Rigdon. She is also preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Melvin “Bill” Freeman and her daughter Sharon Bishop as well as two granddaughters, Robin (Freeman) Mayes and Tina Rodriguez. She is survived by her son Billy Freeman of Tulare, four grandsons- Mark Mendes of Tulare, Paul Freeman of Visalia, and Nicholas Freeman of Tulare, and a granddaughter Melanie Mendes Wenrich of Bakersfield. She also had many great-grandchildren including Shadoe and Lily Mendes, and LaNae, Kyleigh, Paul Jr., Brandon, Travis and Evan Freeman as well as several great-great grandchildren. She was a lifelong resident of Tulare County.

Shorty took on many roles during her lifetime. Other than being the backbone of her family, she also worked as a factory worker, a field worker, as well as managing their many properties and her husband’s cement business. She was a very hard worker and an example to all those that came after her. She enjoyed crocheting, gardening, and watching bull riding.

She will be greatly missed for her kindness, her sense of humor, her loyalty, and her wisdom. She can never be replaced and all that knew and loved her were blessed to have her for 98 years.

A viewing will be at Miller Memorial Chapel in Visalia, CA on March 6, 2023 from 9:00 am to 12:00pm Graveside services at the Old Tulare Cemetery at 1:00pm.

Serving as pallbearers are Mark Mendes, Shadoe Mendes, Paul Freeman, Nicholas Freeman, Travis Freeman and Brandon Freeman.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.millerchapel.com for the Freeman family.