Ruby Jeanette Freeman

Ruby Jeanette Freeman, 91, passed away Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at North River Health Campus in Evansville, Ind. She was born September 9, 1932, in Owensboro, Ky. to the late Estel and Myrtle (Foster) Husk. She graduated from Daviess County High School in 1950 where she participated in the marching band and played clarinet and enjoyed art. After high school, she worked at J.J. Newberry’s, and later at General Electric, or “the GE,” as many Owensborans referred to it. While an employee at GE, she had a chance encounter to see then-actor Ronald Reagan on a nationwide GE tour when he starred in General Electric Theater. Ruby married William Henry Freeman of Owensboro on April 21, 1952. She left the workforce when her daughter, Suzanne was born, in 1959. The family moved from Owensboro to Evansville as part of her husband’s job for IBM in 1960 and then to Newburgh in 1972. She spent many days perfecting her home, an immaculate housekeeper. She enjoyed time spent sewing, reading newspapers and books, enjoying most of the 10,755 episodes of the long-running soap opera All My Children, and more than anything, being around her loving husband and family. In recent years, she took interest in programs like Dateline and Forensic Files. She is survived by her daughter, Suzanne Freeman Kohlmeyer (and husband Tom); grandson, Jake Kohlmeyer, of Evansville; two sisters-in-law, Judy Hamilton (and husband Randy), of Owensboro, Ky., and Maudie Brawner, of Louisville, Ky.; a cousin, Brian Bassett Hunt, of Lexington, Ky.; nieces and nephews, Melissa Roberts (and husband Larry), of Owensboro; Mike Hamilton (and Emily), of Whitesville, Ky.; Phil Woodard (and wife Hannah), of Greenwood, Ind.; John Freeman (and wife Melody), of Owensboro.; Sheri Brawner Webb, of Charleston, S.C.; and Thom Brawner, of Louisville, Ky.; Ruby’s cousin, B.J. and his wife Barbara “Susie” Foster, of Berthoud, Colo., and their daughter, Michelle Sandersen, and Michelle’s daughters, Emily and Lexi Sandersen, of Loveland, Colo. Also surviving is her “honorary daughter” and Suzanne’s dear friend, Gail Barkmann Lashley, of Evansville. In addition to her parents, Ruby was preceded in death by her husband on January 13, 2021. Also preceding were aunts and uncles, Elizabeth and Wilbur Husk and Brownie and Robert Foster; in-laws, Mary and William Freeman; brother-and-sister-in-law, Robert and Nancy Freeman; and Suzanne’s in-laws Leroy and Ruby Kohlmeyer. Visitation with family and friends will take place at First Presbyterian Church, 609 SE Second St., Evansville, on Friday, August 16, 2024, beginning at 10:00 a.m. A Celebration of Life will take place at 12:00 p.m. with Rev. Anna von Winckler officiating and music by Robert Nicholls. A livestream will be available at www.fpcevv.com. Following services, family and friends may gather for burial and graveside prayers at Owensboro Memorial Gardens, 5050 KY Highway 144. The family thanks the loving staff of North River Health Campus and Heart to Heart Hospice for their care and compassion. In lieu of cards or flowers, you are encouraged to celebrate Ruby by making a gift to a charity of your choice that feeds the hungry, empowers those in times of great need, encourages the freedom to read and learn, or cares for animals in need. Arrangements are entrusted to Alexander Funeral Home in Newburgh, and condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNewburghChapel.com.