Betty Jean Freeman

Graveside services for Betty Jean Freeman, 95, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, will be held Thursday, July 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at the Midway Cemetery in Livingston, Texas with Pastor Mike Miller officiating.

Betty was born February 15, 1931, in Dallas, Texas and passed away June 24, 2026, in Springdale, Arkansas. She was preceded in death by her parents, William E. Dickens and Ola Kirkland Dickens; brother William E Dickens; sisters Juanita Dickens Lamb Adams and Eddie V Dickens Gambell; and husband, John Clement Freeman.

Betty graduated high school from Big Sandy High School in Livingston, Texas and received her undergraduate degree in Art Education from Sam Houston State University. She began her teaching career in Port Arthur, Texas, where she met John Freeman. They married and later moved to Pasadena, Texas where she taught music and art at Gardens Elementary and Queens Intermediate, then art at South Houston High School. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church of Pasadena, where she sang in the choir and served as wedding coordinator. Several years after retirement, they moved to Katy, Texas where they joined St. Peter’s United Methodist Church and were actively involved, including many years as leaders of the Care Team. In 2024, a few years after John died, Betty moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas. There she enjoyed time with family and friends, as well as programs at Fayetteville Public Library, Community Creative Center and Central United Methodist Church.

Betty was known for her warm heart. She never missed sending a birthday or anniversary card to her loved ones. She intentionally spent quality time with grandchildren near and far. Neighbors and friends would often be presented with a homemade apple pie or microwave cozy. She lit up when telling stories about her family and growing up in Texas. She will stand out as a creative – from her PTA programs to award-winning art students, from school and church bulletin boards to lasting artistic impact on her grandchildren. She wore many hats without hesitation or being asked. Any pet she owned was lucky to have her – from her childhood pet pig to Lucy, her faithful Maltese companion till the end.

She is survived by her sons, Gregory Freeman of Galveston, Texas and Michael Freeman and wife Kathy of Fayetteville, Arkansas; grandchildren, Reece Freeman and Laura, Taylor (Freeman) Quint and Nick, Cameron Freeman and Emma, Jordyn Freeman, Luke Freeman and Natalie, Joel Freeman and Madeleine, Madelyn (Freeman) Arnold and Jack, Claire Freeman; and great grandchildren, Lily Podowski, Anderson Quint, Miles Quint, Leon Quint, Finley Freeman, Satchel Freeman, Bennett Freeman, Banks Freeman, Shepard Freeman, and Opal Arnold; along with numerous other beloved relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any of the following organizations: St. Peter’s United Methodist Church Care Team in Katy, Texas; Pasadena (Texas) ISD Education Foundation; or Sam Houston State University Department of Art.