Lola Mae Freeman

Former longtime Chester resident Lola Mae Freeman peacefully passed from this life to join her husband Jim in their eternal home with the Lord Friday evening August 10, 2007 at the Chico Creek Care and Rehabilitation Center located in Chico, CA. Born eighty six years ago to the late Berley and Opal (Weaver) Watkins in Tahlequah, Oklahoma it is here she was raised and educated. On February 18th, 1939 she married William "Bill" Cragar and to this union one son and a daughter were born. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1963. She later met and married James "Jim" Freeman and the two were united in matrimony at the First Christian Church in Reno, Nevada October 17th, 1964. The family relocated to Chester, CA in 1951 where Lola became an active member of the Chester Church of Christ. Lola was truly devoted to her family including her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her grandchildren remember most fondly the hours that Lola spent with them taking walks, fishing and playing in the snow. Lola also took much pleasure in cooking traditional southern meals for her family, including chocolate gravy and biscuits. While living in Chester, Lola worked at several local grocery stores as well as the "Y" Liquor Store in Westwood, which she owned and operated with her husband Jim Freeman. After her retirement Lola loved to ride her bike everyday throughout town and work on her quilts. Her family remembers most her loving gentle heart and kindness towards everyone. In passing Lola leaves her son and daughter-in-law; Marion and Marie Cragar of Kirkland, Washington, daughter and son-in-law; Patricia Cragar and David McClain of Paradise, CA, step daughters; Sharon Matthews of Visalia, CA and Sandy de Vries of Beatty, Oregon, brother Jack Watkins of Tulsa, Oklahoma, sister; Hazel Forrest of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, eight grand and nine great grandchildren. She joins in her eternal home her husband of thirty eight years Jim who passed from this life in December of 2002, one brother, one sister and two grandchildren. A celebration of Lola's life will take place at the graveside alongside her late husband in the Chester District Cemetery 3:00PM Saturday afternoon August 18th, 2007. An opportunity to express your condolences to the family along with signing the memorial guest register is available online at www.fehrmanmortuary.com. The family suggests any remembrances in Lola's memory be and to the Alzheimer's Foundation c/o Fehrman Mortuary and Crematory P.O. Box 803 Greenville, CA 95947.