Anita Marie Freeman

Anita Freeman, age 98 of Gulfport, MS passed away at her home peacefully on January 18, 2022. Anita Marie Sadler was born on May 19, 1923 to Andrew and Katherine (Nipp) Sadler in Emery, SD. She was raised on a farm and received her education in Emery attending St. Martin’s Catholic School. She moved to Sioux Falls, SD to attend business school and work. It was there she met her sweetheart, Everett Freeman, who was serving in the Army Air Corps. They were married at the end of the World War II and were together for 69 years. They lived in Southern California for 43 years and raised five children. Anita was an active parishioner and member of the St. Joseph’s Guild at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Bellflower, CA. She enjoyed her many years working in the emergency room at St. Francis Hospital as well as serving as the office manager for her son’s contracting firm.

Anita and her husband moved to Gulfport, MS in 1989 where they successfully managed investment properties. She was an active parishioner and greeter at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Gulfport. Anita was a woman of great faith and integrity. She was a loving wife, mother and friend. She had an impeccable memory, was a gifted storyteller, baker and gardener.

She was preceded in death by her parents Andrew and Katherine Sadler, her husband of 69 years- Everett Freeman, her brother Victor Sadler, sisters Donna Ugland and Denise Chase, son Dennis Freeman and grandson Joshua Jones.

She is survived by her children Michael (Cindy) Freeman of San Diego, CA, Mary Jones (Bill) White of Gulfport, MS, David Freeman of Lake Elsinore, CA, Ann (Ruben) Freeman-Manzanares of Olympia, WA and daughter-in-law Mary Ann Mull Freeman of Buena Park, CA; grandchildren Jeremy (Heather) Jones, Matthew (Kerri) Freeman, Jennifer (Chris) Jones-Lacy, Chad (Katie) Freeman, Clay Freeman and Gabriel Manzanares; great-grandchildren Logan Freeman, Sydnee Freeman, Lucas Freeman, Cody Freeman, Julie Freeman, Nathan Freeman, Eden Lacy and Desmond Lacy.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 23, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15452 O’Neal Road, Gulfport. Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 24, 2022 at 9:30 AM at Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home with burial to follow at 11:00 AM at Biloxi National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 12290 Depew Road, Gulfport, MS 39503 or St. Jude's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the Freeman family.