Joy Ruth Freeman, 76, of Nederland died Saturday, October 23, 2010, at her residence. 

She was born November 5, 1933, in Manning, Texas to Timothy and Eula (Flowers) Laird, Sr.  She grew up in Beaumont but had lived in Nederland since 1968.  A 1951 graduate of French High School, Joy worked several years at Judice’s French Market as a cashier. She was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church in Nederland.

Survivors include her husband, Bradford E. (Brad) Freeman of Nederland; daughters, Linda Estes and her husband Doug of Nederland, Janet Swearingen and her husband Steve of Silsbee and Wanda Lovelady and her husband Mike of Nederland; grandchildren, Jennifer Tucker and her husband Ryan, Rachael Craigen and her husband Jason, Kyle Swearingen and his wife Amanda, Kevin, Jason and Ashley Lovelady;  and great grandchildren, Hailey Craigen, Kyler, Kethan and Konner Swearingen,  and Cade and Ayden Tucker.

Joy is preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Rhonda Faye Freeman; sisters, Lillie Traugott and Tess Archer; brothers, Timothy Laird, Jr. and James Laird.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at Broussard’s, 505 12th Street, Nederland with Reverend Donald Bean and Ryan Tucker officiating.  Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Baker-Bell Cemetery in Fred.  A gathering of family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 26, 2010, at Broussard’s.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Odyssey Hospice Staff for their loving and compassionate care of Joy.