Bernard Harrison Freeman

Bernard Harrison Freeman, 89, formerly of South Point, passed from this life Wednesday, April 10, 2013, in Odessa, Texas, with family by his side. Bernard was born April 15, 1923, in South Point, to Durward Neil and Elsie Gladys Kinder Freeman, who preceded him in death. He graduated from South Point Delta High School in 1939 (after being double promoted) with honors. He married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Boldman Freeman, who preceded him in death in 2009, after sharing over 68 years of marriage. Bernard was a charter member of the South Point Church of Christ and was a Christian for 73 years. He was on the first Board of Directors of Ohio Valley Christian College. He served in the Army Air Corps during the war and was stationed in San Angelo, Texas. When he returned to South Point, he opened Freeman Cleaners and then opened a hardware/feed/seed/construction supply store, General Sales and Supply, which he and his wife operated for 25 years. He started a construction business and built more than 300 houses in South Point along with many commercial buildings in the Tri-State area. After selling the hardware store, the Freemans bought a small ice cream shop, changed the name to "Snak Shak" and expanded by adding a dining room. Ruth continued to operate the restaurant while Bernard became a construction supervisor for Ashland Oil & Refining in Ashland, Ky. He worked for 12 years, supervising construction of service stations primarily in Ohio and West Virginia, prior to his retirement in 1981. Bernard and Ruth were very involved with their church and their children's activities. Their home was always open and they chauffeured and chaperoned many of their children's and their friends' adventures. After their children left home, they traveled extensively, following their grandchildren's activities. Bernard was preceded in death by his daughter, Rebecca Sue (6), his wife, Ruth, and his brothers, Milton and Wendell. He is survived by his daughter, Carole Lynn Bell and husband Dwane, of Odessa, Texas; son, John Neil Freeman and his wife, Terri, of South Point; grandson, Adam Bell (Karen) and great-grandson, Trent, of Midland, Texas, granddaughter, Erin Rebekah Bell Stevenson (Jeff) and great-grandchildren, Katie, Dalton, and Kara, of Spring, Texas and grandson, Nathan Bell (Aleasha), and great-granddaughters, Maci and Madison, of San Diego, Calif. A memorial service honoring Bernard and Ruth will be held 7 PM Thursday, May 23, 2013, at Schneider-Griffin Funeral Home, Chesapeake, OH. Friends may gather and visit from 5:30 PM to 7 PM. The family is requesting, in lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to: The Hospice House Foundation, 903 N Sam Houston, Odessa, TX 79761 or the Sherwood Church of Christ, 4900 N Dixie Blvd., Odessa, TX 79762. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.schneidergriffin.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Bernard Harrison Freeman please visit our Sympathy Store. Visitation MAY 23. 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM (EDT) Schneider-Hall Funeral Home 313 BIG BRANCH RDCHESAPEAKE, OH 45619emailprotected Memorial Service MAY 23. 7:00 PM (EDT) Schneider-Hall Funeral Home 313 BIG BRANCH RDCHESAPEAKE, OH 45619schneiderhaemailprotected

Bernard Harrison Freeman

April 15, 1923 - April 10, 2013