Candice Freeman 1947-2024

Candice Freeman was born July 24, 1947 to Harold and Dorthy Stockstill in Oklahoma City, Okla. She went to be with the Lord on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 in Longview at age 76 after a brief illness. 

She is survived by her daughter, Christy Cravey, and her grandson, Gregory Cravey, of Longview. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Freeman; her mother, Dorthy; her father, Harold; son-in-law Neal Cravey; and grandmother Burnice Romans, whom she cared for until her death at age 106.

After high school, Candice attended Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Va. She worked for a publisher in New York City, N.Y., before marrying Thomas Ruane in 1968 and giving birth to Christy in 1969. In 1970, she moved to Texas, became a certified court reporter, and accepted a job with the district judge in Paris. She married Gary Freeman in 1978.

Candice changed careers in 1991 when she got her associate’s degree in nursing from Kilgore College. Over the years, her nursing training was helpful as she cared for her mother and grandmother until their deaths in Lindsay, Okla.

Candice moved to Mineola in 2019, right before the COVID pandemic. However, she found an instant community through the GRACE Emmaus Community and the Daffidolls Emmaus Reunion group. Candice was an avid bridge player and looked forward to joining a game whenever possible. She loved her bridge and Emmaus groups, which brought her great joy in life. 

There will be a memorial service for Candice on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024 at 10 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Quitman, with Reverend Thomas Harper officiating.