Dottie Lou Freeman

Dottie Lou Freeman, age 80, passed away from health complications on February 29, 2024 at United Hospital Center. She was a resident in the White Oak area of Philippi, WV. Dottie was born on July 11, 1943 in Nestorville, WV to the late George and Gladys (Poling) Auvil. She married the late Tommy Ray Freeman on May 23, 1970 at the Nestorville UMC. Dottie is survived by her daughter Tina Strahin and two granddaughters, April Strahin, and Autumn Strahin, Independence, WV. Also surviving is Ashley Anderson, who became a special part of the family as an infant, when Dottie began babysitting her.
In addition to her husband and parents, Dottie was preceded in death by her brother Dorsey Lee (Porky) Auvil. She was also preceded in death by her son-in-law, Gregory Strahin.
God was the center of her life, and when she was physically able, going to various surrounding church services was a joy. As a girl, Dottie and her father would sing at various churches. Later, she and her husband, Tommy, and daughter, Tina, continued the pattern of singing gospel music, later forming a group with another married couple, William and Lovetta Jones.
Dottie was a homemaker and loved cooking, baking and home canning foods from the garden. She also loved being outside mowing grass, watering and weeding her flower beds and gardening. At the end of a long summer day, she loved sitting in her swing with her sweetheart, drinking coffee and watching the sunsets.
Dottie was also a huge WV sports fan. Many times she could be heard calling her “phone buddies” to ensure on what channel (time) the game would be televised, and if it wasn’t going to be televised, she made sure someone placed her radio on her bed to listen to the game.
Dottie had been homebound for nearly 6 years, which kept her from doing most of the things she enjoyed doing so much, but worship has no limits. She was a faithful viewer of the many great programs/preachers on television including, but not limited to, Jimmy Swaggert, the Hagees, Charles Stanley and David Jeremiah. Sermons and gospel music could be heard throughout her house at all hours of the day and night. Being homebound, Dottie required homecare. The family is very grateful to all the caregivers that assisted her, including Miranda Ritter and Lydia Troyer. Many thanks to all of the ones from the Amish community who stepped in when absences needed to occur. The family would also like to thank Roger Auvil and his family for their assistance.
Friends will be received at the Wright Funeral Home and on-site Crematory, 220 N. Walnut St., Philippi, WV on Saturday, March 2, from 2-8 pm and Sunday, March 3, from 8 am-2 pm Funeral services will be conducted at 2 pm with Rev. Jimmy Johnson officiating. Interment will follow at the Central Chapel Cemetery.