Freda Marie Friend Loftis, 82


Freda Marie Friend Loftis, 82

Graveside funeral services for Freda Marie Friend Loftis, 82, of Gainesville, were held Feb. 5, 2018, in the Loftis Cemetery with Milan Chisam officiating. Mrs. Loftis died Feb. 1 at Gainesville Health Care Center. 

She was born Oct. 7, 1935, the daughter of  Harrison and Iva Lawson Friend. On Aug. 10, 1949, she married H. R. “Sonnie” Loftis.  She worked for 30 years at Rawlings Sporting Goods in Ava,  mostly sewing shoulder pads. She enjoyed gardening, canning and cooking. She loved her family and was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother.

She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Steele and significant other Kenny Pickett of Gainesville; her daughter-in-law Katherine Loftis of Gainesville; grandsons Matt Woodward of Moberly, Brian Loftis and wife April of Hollister; granddaughter Heather Coyle and husband Steve of Cuba, New Mexico,; seven great-grandsons and nine great-granddaughters; three great-great grandchildren; one brother, Edd Friend and wife Ina of Noble, sisters Fern Cantwell and Polly Ousley, both of Ava,  Peggy Robbins and husband Bob of Gainesville and Maxine DeBord of Princeville, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Sonnie Loftis; her son, Cecil Loftis; one grandson, Brad Loftis; six half-sisters; two half-brothers; four brothers and three sisters; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Loftis Cemetery or to Fair Haven Children’s Home. 

Arrangements by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville.  

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423