Gloria Freeman, 78, of the Powdermill Community in Newland, NC, went Home to be with the Lord on September 16th, 2024 at The Greens at Spruce Pine. She was a daughter of the late Clell and Dorothy McKinney Watson. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Charles Freeman, who passed away in 2020. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Stephen McKinney, who passed away in 2023.

Gloria was a 1963 graduate of Cranberry High School and a lifelong member of Powdermill Baptist Church. She held various jobs throughout her life. She retired as the Avery County Deputy Tax Collector in 2011 after a 34-year career. Gloria will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her infectious laugh, and the kindness she showed to everyone she met.

Gloria is survived by her daughter, Kim (Jeff) Phillips of Plumtree; son, Todd Freeman of Newland; grandsons: Jacob (Kelli) Freeman of Honea Path, SC, and Chandler Freeman of Sanford; sister, Janis (Leroy) Reel of Nebo; sister-in-law, Tammy McKinney of Spruce Pine; aunts: Carolyn McKinney of Spruce Pine, Flo McKinney of Marion, and Ruth Smitherman of Cranberry.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, September 20th at Powdermill Baptist Church. Rev. Michael Burnop will officiate. Private burial will follow. The family will receive friends from 2 until 3 p.m. prior to the services.

The family would like to give special thanks to Mary Lou McKinney, The Greens at Spruce Pine, Hospice and Palliative Care of the Blue Ridge, Center Well Home Health, Dr. David Kimmel and Blue Ridge Regional Hospital for the wonderful care they gave to Gloria.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of the Blue Ridge at 236 Hospital Drive, Spruce Pine, NC 28777, or Caregiver’s Haven, in care of Avery County Senior Center at P.O. Box 447, Newland, NC 28657 with checks made payable to the Council on Aging.