Mary Gail Freeman

Coleman Funeral Home of Olive Branch Mary Abigail Henley Freeman, 91, passed away on June 8, 2025 at home after a brief but rapid decline of her health. Mary Gail was a devoted wife, mother, cousin, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to all who knew and loved her. Her faith in God was of the utmost importance, and she lived her beliefs. A longtime resident of Jackson, Mississippi, Mary Gail had lived in Olive Branch, Mississippi for the past 20 years. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Herman Freeman, her parents Josephine Haynes and John Bryant Henley, grandson Eric West, brother-in-law and sister-in-law D. G. and Etta Vera Seago, and numerous cousins. She is survived by her daughters Deb Freeman West and her husband Garnett, Ann Freeman Gilbert and her husband Louis, grandchildren Hunter Bryant Gilbert (Anna), Amanda Gilbert Clawson (Josh), Mary Abigail West, Garnett Bert West III and Jason Blair West, and great-grandchildren Jackson West, James West, Anna Blair West, Baker Clawson, Tilda Gilbert, Nora Clawson, Lennard Gilbert, and Henry Clawson. Mary Gail was born in Crosby, Mississippi on October 5, 1933 and was the only child of John and Josephine Henley. As the daughter of two educators, Mary started school at 4 years of age, finished high school at 16, and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi at age 19. She worked briefly in Baton Rouge, Louisiana until she returned home to Mississippi. She and Herman were introduced to each other by Herman's college roommate, Eston Perrott while attending a local high school basketball game. They married on July 24, 1955 in Gloster, Mississippi and their first home on Terry Road in Jackson later became their State Farm office. Mary Gail first worked for State Farm in Jackson, and later, Herman became an agent with her at his side in the office. Mary Gail was incredibly organized at work and at home, and their clients during those years were very special to them. Mary Gail loved her family fiercely, and was very proud of her girls, their husbands, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mary Gail was a gifted pianist, and for many years, she shared her talents by playing the piano at Leavell Woods United Methodist Church in Jackson. She was actively involved in Sunday School, United Methodist Women, and numerous committees, where she and Herman were blessed to have many lifelong friends at church and in the community. After retirement, they moved to Olive Branch and continued to love God and neighbor. She was a member of First Global Methodist Church in Hernando and was an avid Memphis Grizzlies fan as she continued to watch basketball in her later years. The family would like to express our heartfelt love and gratitude to Peggy Patterson, Kitty Vaupell and Becky Medina who took such wonderful care of her during the last year as her health declined, and to her wonderful friends who cared for her and loved her as we did. A service celebrating Mary Gail's life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at Coleman Funeral Home of Olive Branch (6815 Parkview Boulevard, Olive Branch, MS 38654). The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Services will be officiated by Rev. Bill Beavers, and honorary pallbearers are Bert West, Jason West, Hunter Gilbert, Josh Clawson, John David Thomas, Matthew Thomas, John Jones and Larry Paylor. Interment will be on Friday, June 13, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Parkway Memorial Cemetery, 1161 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, Mississippi 39157. The interment will be officiated by Rev. Barry Male, Jr. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Together Ministry Center, Post Office Box 462, Olive Branch, Mississippi 38654. (www.togetherministrycenter.org)

Mary Gail Freeman

October 5, 1933 - June 8, 2025

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