Shirley Jean Freeman

Shirley Jean Freeman, 56, of Forestburg, Texas, passed away unexpectedly on February 2, 2024.

The youngest of seven children, Shirley was born on February 7, 1967, in Fort Worth, Texas, to Clovis and Margie McElroy.  They moved to Alvord, Texas, in 1968, where Shirley attended school.  She graduated from Alvord High School in 1985.

Shirley met the love of her life, Billy Freeman Jr., in 1994 on a double date with his cousins, Steven and Glenda McDaniel.  If ever polar opposites attracted, it was Shirley and Billy.  But somehow it worked.  Just seven months after they met, Shirley and Billy married on July 1, 1995, in Las Vegas.

It took nineteen years before Billy could convince Shirley to leave the comforts of city life and move to the country.  But once he got her there, she wouldn’t leave.  The quiet and peace suited her, and you could find her doing everything from bottle-feeding calves to pampering her ever-growing collection of dogs to hosting laughter-filled family gatherings.

For a couple who lived on a farm, Shirley and Billy sure loved their beach vacations.  Hawaii, Cancun, Port Aransas, Myrtle Beach — they hit them all, and almost always with Steven and Glenda.  The Freemans and the McDaniels — otherwise known as the McDanFrees — were practically inseparable.  From raising their children together to beach vacations to deer hunting and everything in between, they enjoyed life together.

Shirley was an avid crafter, routinely entangling herself in ribbons and hot glue and anything containing a little bling.  She loved her bling:  jewelry, flip flops, purses, you name it.  Wherever she went, Shirley sparkled.  She had many hobbies, including making wreaths and jewelry, but everyone who loved her knew her true passion — shopping.  Family and friends spent countless hours wandering with her through Canton looking at every single item in every single booth.  On Thanksgivings, she would stagger into the house balancing an enormous pile of newspapers.  She would devour each advertisement and map out her Black Friday strategy with the precision of an Army general.  She was tireless, heading out at 3 a.m. to hit as many sales as possible.  Few in the family were brave enough to tag along.

Shirley’s three children meant the world to her.  She didn’t think she could love anyone as much as them until she had her first grandbaby.  David stole her heart from his first breath.  Being a Memaw was her favorite role, and Memaw shopping quickly became her favorite hobby.  She loved her family fiercely, and she will be fiercely missed.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Clovis and Margie McElroy; brothers Bobby and Bill McElroy; sister and brother-in-law Ken and Virginia Bauer; and sister Kathy Archa.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Billy Freeman Jr. of Forestburg; children Stephen Thomas Curry III of Decatur, Christian Logan Freeman of Rhode Island, and Alexis and Brandon Nix of Gainesville; grandson David Marshall Nix of Gainesville; sister Glenda Betz of Fort Worth; brother and sister-in-law Leo and Judy McElroy of Sunset; sister-in-law Winnifred McElroy; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at the Hillcrest Church of Christ in Gainesville with Wade Bower officiating.  Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery.  A visitation will be held at the church starting at 1:00 PM, prior to the service.