Mabel Freeman Gouge, age 93, of Hampton, Tenn., passed away on Wednesday, April 30, 2014, at Charles A. Cannon Jr. Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. Mrs. Gouge was a native of Carter County and the daughter of the late Alexander and Missouri McKinney Freeman. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Wydner Gouge; two brothers, Ted Freeman and George Freeman; and a sister, Myrtle Birchfield.
Mrs. Gouge was a homemaker and a member of Rittertown Baptist Church. She enjoyed gardening and knitting.
Survivors include a brother, Ray Freeman, Mary Esther, Fla.; four half brothers: Bob Freeman, Mountain City Tenn., Harland Freeman, Alaska, Buster Freeman, Elk Park, N.C., and Garfield Freeman, Roan Mountain, Tenn.; three half sisters, Barbara McKinney, Roan Mountain, Patsy McKinney, Edgewater, Fla,, and Kathy Storey, Jonesborough, Tenn.; and her stepmother, Sally Freeman, Roan Mountain. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
A service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Gouge will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, 2014, in the Rittertown Baptist Church with Pastor Richard Stout, officiating. Music will be under the direction of Sherry Freeman, soloist. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the church, prior to the service on Saturday.
The graveside service will follow in the Rittertown Baptist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be her nephews. Honorary pallbearers will be the men of Rittertown Baptist Church.
Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers, may make donations to the Building Fund of Rittertown Baptist Church, 822 Rittertown Road, Hampton, TN 37658.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guest book. Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton is serving the Gouge family. Office 542-2232, Obituary line 543-4917