Jewel Ray Freeman, Natchez

1919 - 2007

Funeral services for Jewel Ray Freeman, 87, who died Aug. 4, 2007, at Natchez Regional Medical Center, will be 10 a.m. today at Faith Tabernacle Pentecostal Church in Vidalia with the Rev. Ronald Hall officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Mr. Freeman was born Sept. 30, 1919 in Bude, the son of Commodore Freeman and Lillie McIntyre Freeman. He was an active member of Faith Tabernacle Pentecostal Church for more than 50 years. He retired from the Armstrong Tire and Rubber Company after 25 years service. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard. He loved the outdoors and he loved his family. He was preceded in death by five brothers and four sisters.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Helen Green Freeman; daughter Edith Loy and husband Harley, both of Natchez; sons Larry Freeman and wife Marlene, both of Roxie, Danny Freeman and wife Connie, both of Natchez, and Randy Freeman of Natchez; grandchildren Kim Stephens and husband Wade, Larry Dykes, Kristy Dykes, Josh Freeman and Matthew Freeman, all of Natchez, Chase and Courtney Freeman, both of Roxie, Randall Freeman Jr. and wife Jaimie, both of Stockbridge, Ga.; great-grandchildren Whitney Roberts, Taylor Jordan, James Dykes III, Walker Allen, Sawyer Allen and Braxton Allen, all of Natchez, Riley Freeman and Kailey Freeman, both of Stockbridge, Ga.; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Leon Smith, Robert Green, Pat Anders, Joey Kerrigan, Matt Long and Eddie Weatherly.

Honorary pallbearers will be his grandsons and great-grandsons.

Memorials may be made to the Parkinsons Research Foundation.