Joye Freeman Obituary (1935 - 2018)

Joye Freeman, 83 of Baker City, Oregon died peacefully May 21, 2018, at Ashley Manor with her family by her side. A celebration of life service will take place Saturday, June 2, 2018, at 11:00 AM at the First Lutheran Church, 1734 3rd Street, Baker City. Pastor Ian Wolfe will officiate. A reception, lunch and a tribute to "Joye-isms" will follow. The services are under the direction of Coles Tribute Center. Joye was born on May 15th, 1935 in Baker, Oregon to Joseph and Wilma (Riley) Freeman. Joye would eventually become the eldest of six children. Joye had beauty and grace and a zest for life-she loved every drop. Born into a cattle ranching family her favorite childhood memories were being outside at Sutton Creek playing with her siblings and helping her Dad Joseph and her Grandfather (Pop) J.Q. work cattle on horseback. Her Mother Wilma and Grandmother Docia taught her to cook and sew. They all taught her love of our Lord and family. Growing up she was a member of the 4-H Club and showed Registered Black Angus Cattle she raised from calves. Many ribbons were won and lots of lifelong friendships were made. Later in life, she became a 4-H Leader of the Boots and Saddles and the Poco-Wing Horse Clubs. Joye attended Grade School, Junior High and High School at Pleasant Valley and Baker. Joye married William Gutridge and began her own family of 3 children, Michael, Patrick, and Belinda. Joye always felt her greatest accomplishment was being a Mom. She formed a strong bond with each of her children. She would not have it any other way. She remained very devoted to her siblings and their families. Joye always made it a point to visit them, especially for births and birthdays, for her nieces and nephews. She had a unique way of making everyone feel so loved and important. Her name "Joye", described her personality. Joye did not have a middle name but "Grace", would have been perfect. Joye also enjoyed the business side of life. For years she helped with the registering process of the Freeman Angus Purebred herd. Joye enjoyed 30 years working with Pacific NW Bell Telephone Company in Baker and various other cities in Oregon and Washington working her way into Office Manager positions. After her retirement from PNB, she moved to Santa Barbara, California to be with her daughter and grandchildren, Camie Ruda Painter and Jesse Ruda. Nordstrom was opening a new store; Joye interviewed and got a position in their Customer Service Department where she worked for 5 years. Along the way during her distinguished career, Joye won many awards for achievements and not shockingly...her perfect attendance. Joye had a work ethic like no other. She attributed this to her upbringing and the fortitude of her relatives who came over on the Oregon Trail to homestead at Sutton Creek. Joye's love of the Lord was front and center in everything she did. Her devotion was unwavering. She was a lifetime member of the First Lutheran Church in Baker and a lifetime Pioneer with the phone company which is now Century Link. Throughout her life, Joye enjoyed traveling. Whether it was in her T-Bird named "Ritzy" or flying she traveled throughout the country including; New York, Hawaii, Washington D.C., Kentucky Derby, Texas, Georgia and many more places. Her travels always brought her back to this Baker Valley she loved and called home. Joye loved all music but especially old Christian hymns and Country. Her favorite song was "You Are My Sunshine". Our beautiful Joye, your family and friends will miss you so much "You" are our sunshine. Rest in Peace with our Lord in Heaven. Joye is survived by her children: Michael Gutridge (Cindy), Patrick Gutridge (Eva), and Belinda Gutridge Tiedemann (Bill). Siblings: Dave Freeman (Twila), Dan Freeman (Sue), Judy Freeman Britton (Harold), Bill Freeman (Sally), Grandchildren, (to which she was affectionately known as "G-Joye") Christopher and Joseph Gutridge, Shane and Gena Gutridge, Camie Ruda Painter and Jesse Ruda, plus bonus Grandchildren Al, Jaclyn( Foss), Don, Alexis and Avari Tiedemann, 10 Great Grandchildren, Cousins, Nieces and Nephews. Joye was preceded in death by her parents: Joseph and Wilma Riley Freeman, Grandparents: J.Q. and Docia Freeman and her loving brother Riley Freeman and his wife Joan Freeman. For those wishing to donate in honor of Joye, the family suggests The First Lutheran Church, Heart and Home Hospice and Ashley Manor Care Facility all in Baker City, Oregon through Coles Tribute Center at 1950 Place St., Baker City, OR 97814.