Doris Louise Overcash Freeze

Doris Louise Overcash Freeze, 94, of China Grove, died in the early morning hours of August 31, 2025 at her daughter's home in Cary after months of declining health issues.

Born May 15, 1931, Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Marks Hoyt Freeze, parents Luther McCamey and Mary Agnes Davis Overcash, brothers Brown and Homer Overcash, sisters Helen Overcash Smith, Juanita Overcash Ayers, Barbara Overcash Bradshaw and nephew Jerry Wayne Overcash.

She was a 1949 graduate of China Grove High School where she was a 4 year member of the Choir, Beta Club, Monogram Club, basketball team, newspaper staff, Halloween Queen, cheerleader, Girls' State, Miss China Grove High and Rowan County All-Tournament Basketball team.

Doris attended and earned a bachelor's degrees in physical education and grammar grade education from Appalachian State Teachers College 1949- 1953. While in college, she was very involved in the Future Teachers of America, Lutheran Students Association, Physical Education Club, Modern Dance Club, Varsouvianna Club, Association for Childhood Education, College Choir, editorial staff for The Appalachian paper and President of the Women's “A” Club . Her senior year she was voted Most Athletic Girl, was Tennis Singles Champ, a member of the women's basketball and volleyball teams, intramurals basketball champ…a stellar athlete.

She was a long-time member of Lutheran Chapel Church where she was a dedicated choir member.

Doris was employed most of her working career with Rowan County Schools where she taught English and Physical Education at Corriher-Lipe Junior High. She served as tennis coach, cheerleading advisor and keeping the scorebook for the basketball teams. She loved her students! She also taught briefly in Columbia, SC, Shadybrook Elementary in Kannapolis, and 6th grade at China Grove Elementary her first year of teaching. She continued to stay in touch with former students all the way up to her death.

She was a very devoted mother and always had the best intentions. Her love for family didn't just include her daughter and husband but everyone related to her beyond generations and then nonrelatives as well. If there was a ballgame of any kind and you told her about it, she was there. Staying at home was a rarity.

Playing church softball every summer was a highlight. She looked so forward to family reunions each year. Doris never missed a single school performance that her daughter's choral groups gave no matter what the distant. She was there for 36 years. Her nieces and nephews were her pride and joy until great-nieces and great-nephews appeared then great-greats. But the two that captured her heart were her granddaughter and grandson. She dropped everything to be at all of their functions or performances.

Survivors include one sister, Mary Francis (Frankie) Overcash Echerd of China Grove; daughter Joan Freeze Small (David), granddaughter Kirsten Small and grandson Christian Small of Cary; nieces Susie Smith Beaver of Bahama, JoAnn Overcash Lucas of FL, Kathy Ayers Morgan of China Grove, Sharon Echerd Edwards of China Grove, Mary Jane Ayers Measmer of China Grove, and Debra Bradshaw of Indian Trail; nephews John Overcash of Georgia, Davey Overcash of Terrell, Steve Echerd of China Grove, Tony Bradshaw of Lenoir, and Tim Bradshaw of Wingate and many great-nieces, great nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service 11am-12pm in the church fellowship hall at Lutheran Chapel Church. Viewing of the body will be in the church sanctuary prior to the service. The service will begin at 12 noon with the Rev. Tony Bradshaw officiating. Rob Durocher is the organist. Entombment will follow the service at Westlawn Mausoleum in China Grove.

The family would like to thank Home Healthcare of Raleigh, WakeMed hospital of Cary, and Rex Rehab in Apex for their sincere care and treatment of Doris these last 3 months.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, a memorial can be made to Lutheran Chapel Church, P.O. Box 152 China Grove, NC 28023.

Words of comfort and memories may be shared at www.linn-honeycutt.com.

Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Freeze family.