Shirley (Gehrels) Free, 84, passed away February 10, 2022. Funeral services were held 11:00 a.m. Sunday, February 13, 2022 at Capps Memorial Chapel with Mr. Bucky Zehm officiating. Interment followed at Dew Cemetery. Pallbearers were Bucky Zehm, Joe Chandler, Gabriel Chandler, John Daniel Chandler, Robert Zehm and James Scott.
She was born January 14, 1938 in Dew, Texas. She grew up there and graduated Teague High School in 1956. On November 23, 1956 she married Charles Wayne Free of Teague. While Charles worked with a seismic survey crew the couple moved to many different cities and states. During the first six months of their marriage, they moved seven times and continued moving around the United States. They moved to Burkburnett, and lived there 8 years. Then they moved to Irving for a short time before settling down in Southlake, Texas where they lived for more than 40 years.
After her retirement from Darr Equipment Company, where she worked as an executive secretary for about 15 years, Shirley moved to Teague and live in the Free family home with Wayne. When she was 74, she took on the project to add an addition on to the old Free home where she enjoyed living for many years.
Once back in Teague she became involved with her high school graduating class. She participated in several homecoming parades. She was a social person and enjoyed immensely renewing old friendships. She always looked forward to having lunch with her ‘Birthday Girls’ once a month to celebrate each other’s birthday.
She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, cooking, reading, and playing various games with family and friends. She also enjoyed going on casino trips with her husband and daughters, as well as a couple of cruises.
She is survived by her two daughters – Debbie (Free) Chandler with husband Joe Chandler of Azle and Lisa (Free) Zehm with husband Bucky Zehm of Cypress; seven grandchildren – Janine Chandler, Audra Chandler, Candice (Chandler) Scott and husband James, Gabriel Chandler, John Daniel Chandler and wife Melissa, Robert Zehm, and Katherine Zehm; and three great grandchildren: Benjamin Scott, and arriving in March: Quinn Chandler and Kenzie Petty.
She was preceded in death by her husband – Charles Free; her parents – Walter and Daisy Gehrels; two sisters – Neville (Gehrels) Bosley and June (Gehrels) Daniel; and by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Friends of Teague Public Library, 400 Main Street, Teague, TX 75860.
