Freda Mitchell
Freda Marie (Estes) Mitchell passed away on February 23, 2023. She was born on September 24, 1931, in Floydada, Texas, to Fred Noble Estes and Lola Mae (Simpson) Estes. Lola Mae died in 1936, and Freda was raised by an Aunt and Uncle, Fin T. and Belinda Whitaker. They moved to Strawn, where Freda attended school and graduated from Strawn High School.
Freda married Kenneth Lee Mitchell in a home wedding in Strawn on October 24, 1948. They lived in a few places with Kenneth chasing oil field work before moving back to Strawn, Texas, and the ranch life. Their daughter Belinda Diane Smith was born in 1952, and their son Kenneth L. “Ken” Mitchell Jr. was born in 1958. They lived 26 years on the Link Ranch in Stephens County where Kenneth served as Ranch Manager. They then spent the next 26 years on the Hart Ranch, before Freda moved into Breckenridge after Kenneth’s passing. Freda served as the director of the Swenson Memorial Museum and the J.D. Sandefer Oil Annex for many years. She was a long-time member of the New Hope Baptist Church, south of Caddo. Freda took a great interest and spent many years documenting the family genealogy. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and she was an active and founding member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Picketville Chapter.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son, and her daughter.
She is survived by her son-in-law, Michael Smith of Buchanan Dam; her granddaughter, Stephanie Shockley and husband Cory Shockley of Georgetown; and her great-granddaughter, Emma Shockley of College Station, as well as several siblings, including brother, Dale Estes of Diana; brother, Bob Estes of Harker Heights; brother, James Estes of San Antonio; sister, Shirley Durant of Arroyo Grande, California; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family.
The family would like to offer special thanks to caretaker, Jane Ann Pichler, who supported Ms. Freda in numerous ways over the last several years. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Meals on Wheels or the Swenson Memorial Museum.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, February 26, at Morehart Mortuary with Charles West officiating. Interment will follow in the Caddo Cemetery under the direction of Morehart Mortuary. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, February 25, at Morehart Mortuary.
