Dewitt Gentry Freeman

Mrs. DeWitt Gentry Freeman, age 98, of State Road went to her heavenly home Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at Chatham Nursing and Rehabilitation. She was born September 4, 1922 in Forsyth County to Rufus and Idelia Tulbert Gentry.

Mrs. Freeman was a member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in State Road and retired from Chatham Manufacturing.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Charles R. Freeman; brothers, Rufus Gentry, George Gentry; sisters, Minnie Gentry, Marie Thompson, Pauline Park, and Weta Swift.

Mrs. Freeman is survived by her son, Charles Ricky Freeman and wife Joyce Ann of Elkin; granddaughter, Kelly Freeman Greer of Elkin; nieces, Rose Marie Harris, Sandy Swift-Urback, Gayea Gentry Main; nephews, George Gentry, Jr., Jim Gentry; and many church friends who affectionately called her “Ma”.

DeWitt, Mama, Nanny, Ma… whatever you had the pleasure of calling her if she was a part of your life, even just for a season, could smile and then speak and you knew there was something different about this lady, even more so as she got older. She had a light that could warm the darkest of days and it was from the love of our Savior Jesus Christ. She still sang to the Lord in that same little house by herself, long after her husband, Charlie, was gone and long after her eyesight had left, even after moving to the nursing home. He had written those lyrics in her heart and she could sing anytime she gave Him thought. Her love and joy kept her strong, it kept her here until her days were done. She has been a source of continuing inspiration, joy, peace, and calm for many people.

A funeral service will be conducted Sunday, February 14, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church with Rev. John Attaway and Rev. Dylan Cook officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Mrs. Freeman will lie-in-state Saturday from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Elkin Funeral Service and Sunday from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Masks are required for all services.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave, 16 ^th Floor, New York, NY 10001 or Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, PO Box 130, State Road, NC 28676.

The family would like to thank her caregivers at Chatham Nursing for their care and support over the last 19 months.