Dorothy Freeman

She had resided previously at University Village in Charlottesville since 2003. Dorothy knew Jesus Christ as her Savior, and she looked forward to going home to the Lord and to reuniting with her loved ones who have gone there ahead of her.

As the oldest of four children born to the late Dennis Carey “Caro” Miles and Una V Kelley Miles, on April 15, 1932, in Elba, Alabama, Dorothy was a natural caregiver. One of her sisters recently recounted, “I loved her like a mother.” Dorothy graduated from Elba High School in 1950. She then attended Massey-Draughon’s Business College, Montgomery, AL, and upon completion, she worked at the Southern Baptist Convention Headquarters in Montgomery, AL. until her marriage.

Dorothy was married to her husband of sixty years, Melvin Clinton Freeman (LCDR, US Navy, Retired) of Opelika, Alabama in 1953, until his death in 2013. She supported her husband in his US Naval career, starting in Yokohama, Japan (1953-1955), where she worked for the US Navy. Other duty stations included Norfolk, VA; Newport, RI; Key West, FL; Saigon, Vietnam (Dorothy and children lived in Opelika, AL); and Columbia, SC. Their last duty station was NORAD, Colorado Springs, CO (1971-1972). As Dorothy accompanied her husband, she often worked as an administrative assistant while raising their four children. She was an accomplished hostess, delighting their guests with her specialty shrimp curry or sweet and sour pork. They retired to Opelika, AL and lived there thirty-one years, 1972 to 2003, until moving to Charlottesville, VA. to live near their daughter Susan Weiner and her family.

Some of Dorothy’s favorite pastimes were walking, watching people, gardening flowers and vegetables, and reading. She especially enjoyed the beach, birdwatching, and travel. Dorothy loved to go to the beach with her husband, children, and grandchildren. For many years, she and Mel went for a month every summer to Gulf Shores, AL. Frequently, Dorothy could be observed stretched out in her chair under an umbrella with her purse tucked neatly under her arm to watch the sunset. Dorothy found pleasure in birdwatching as a hobby. She and Mel liked to sit at their breakfast table and point out the different birds to their grandchildren. Dorothy appreciated traveling to new places whether hiking to the top of Chimney Top in the Smokey Mountains, taking a cruise to Alaska, or touring Europe, Morocco, and Quebec. In recent years, she enjoyed simple outings with family to the nail salon for a pedicure, to the bagel restaurant for her favorite sandwich, or to a nearby town for ice cream.

Dorothy took a genuine interest in people and their conversations. She listened intently to her children, their spouses, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren about their lives, aspirations, hobbies, and families, encouraging them in their endeavors. Dorothy cultivated gratitude and, long after the event, continued to express the gratefulness she felt for gifts received and acts of kindness shown to her. She frequently spoke highly and lovingly about the people in her life.

Dorothy is predeceased by her husband Melvin Clinton Freeman, her parents Dennis Carey and Una V Miles, her sisters Mary Magdelene “Maggie” Miles White and Betty Sue Miles Bowers, and great grandson Willliam Cole Carpenter. She is survived by her sister Delories Miles Bermuth of Hoover, AL; by her children Stephanie Freeman Carpenter (Steve) of Madison, FL, Melvin Clinton “Clint” Freeman, Jr. (Dianne Barber) of Alexander City, AL, Antony “Tony” Craig Freeman (Dawn Belisle) of Oxford, AR, and Susan Freeman Weiner (Michael) of Charlottesville, VA; nine grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dorothy will be buried alongside her husband Lieutenant Commander Melvin C. Freeman (US Navy Retired) at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. on January 16, 2023 at 3:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in the name of Dorothy Miles Freeman to the charity of choice. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.teaguefuneralhome.com