Irma Delores Freeman

Born on April 11, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York, Irma Delores Freeman was the second oldest of 8 children born to Matthew and Beatrice Little. Throughout her formative years, she was educated in the NYC Public School system, where she graduated from Girls High School in 1953. Irma enjoyed reminiscing over the years of her childhood in Brooklyn, where many of her lifelong relationships were formed. Her parents later moved the family to Harlem, NY. During her early 20's, Irma often shared her love for going to social dances. She enjoyed having a good time and most of the time, she was the party. It was through mutual friends, that she met and later married, Earnhart Freeman, a loving husband, on June 25, 1960. From this union, 3 years later, their daughter Gail was born and their son, Craig, followed 6 years thereafter. She was employed as a secretary in the Insurance and Advertising Industries. She worked for Dance, Fitzgerald & Sample and ultimately retired form DDB Needham & Company after 35+ years of service. Irma joined Bethany Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Elmer Brooks, when her family moved to Harlem. Bethany Baptist Church became her family's church. She remained a member of Bethany for over 30 years. She later decided to join Caanaan Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Wyatt T. Walker. In 2001, Irma and Earnhart moved to Richmond. Shortly after, she joined St. Paul's Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Lance Watson. Each Sunday she attended church with her sister, Gloria. She loved the teaching and preaching of Pastor Watson. It was at St. Paul's that she frequently attended Bible Study at the Belt Campus and enjoyed the fellowship of the Cottage TLC Bible Study group until her health began to fail. In May 2019, Irma joined Circle Center Adult Day Support. It was there, after her illness, that she began to thrive, socializing, creating art and shopping, which were her favorite past times. She loved attending Circle Center and they loved her. Circle Center truly brought out the best in her, in her last year. Irma was an avid reader, crossword puzzle enthusiast, along with challenging her husband to a good game of Scrabble. Irma enjoyed traveling, either by cruise or by air. She never hesitated to miss out on a trip. Her travels included almost all of the Caribbean Island, Spain and Brazil. If she wasn't traveling, she was shopping. She loved to spend money! She was also a bit of a "social butterfly". Her personality could best be describing as unfiltered, candid and straight to the point. She was one to truly speak her mind. Though she had a tough exterior, she had a heart of gold. There is not anything she wouldn't do for you, especially her family. Growing up in a close-knit family, she silently became the matriarch of her family after the passing of her mother. She loved to have social gatherings centered around family. Her specialty was cooking Sunday dinners for them. It is these times that her family will miss her the most. Welcoming her into her heavenly home and proceeding her in death are her parents, Matthew and Beatrice Little, sister, Yvonne Hatcher, brothers, Matthew (Sonny), Nathaniel (Butch) and Robert Little. She leaves to cherish her memories, a loving husband of 60 years, Earnhart; devoted daughter, Gail; loving son, Craig; son-in-law, Owen, daughter-in-law, Shanequa; 6 Grandchildren; Aja, Ava, Taylor, Cameron, Kadin and Taj; 3 Sisters, Gloria, Doris and Diane; Brother-in-law, Melvin, 2 sisters-in-law, Blanche and Valerie; God-daughter and niece, Sheryl and aunt, Odessa Carr. Along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Brother-in-law, Melvin, 2 sisters-in-law, Blanche and Valerie; God-daughter and niece, Sheryl and aunt, Odessa Carr. Along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Tributes

Irma Delores Freeman

April 11, 1935 - February 10, 2020