Freeda Bob (Linehan) Duffle

Freeda Bob Linehan Duffle

After a wonderfully long and fulfilling life of love, service, and dedication to her family and her many friends, Freeda Bob (Linehan) Duffle was granted her angel wings on May 2, 2019, and entered into her well-deserved eternal rest.
Freeda was born on October 27, 1921 in Balsora, Texas to Edward P. Linehan and Clara Ann (Riggs) Linehan, and was raised with seven siblings. She went to North Texas State University (as it’s now called) at a young age and became a schoolteacher when she was only 19 years old. Teaching was to become her profession for the rest of her life, not only in the classroom but in her many volunteer organizations and activities as well.
Later, after serving her country in the Navy during World War II, she met and married the love of her life – Dean Franklin Duffle – on November 1, 1946. We feel certain that Dean was the first one waiting right there to hug her and welcome her when she walked through heaven’s gates.
Freeda was also the loving and devoted mother of Roy Nelson Duffle and Nancy Robin (Duffle) Golden. From their standpoint, there were no luckier children in the world for having been adopted by Freeda and Dean. The Duffle family was a happy one in every way. Nelson and Nancy were blessed to have such wonderful parents and to be raised with their love and guidance in the Southeast Texas community of Silsbee.
Her son-in-law Tommy Golden (Nancy’s husband) and her daughter-in-law Devah Galloway (Nelson’s wife) were as close and as loved by Freeda as if they had been her own.
But even more so, Freeda was a proud and happy grandmother to Kimberly (Golden) Warner, Katy (Golden) Markgraf, and Alena (Duffle) Rosas. They loved their grandmother so much – and she loved them right back.
But perhaps Freeda’s greatest loves in the later stages of life were her great-grandchildren – Clara Markgraf, Lacie Rosas, and Callie Rosas. She was thrilled to be a great-grandmother!
Throughout her career, Freeda was an admired, respected, and beloved schoolteacher. She loved helping youngsters (especially those in elementary school) learn how to deal with the world and to become their very best. Having taught in Silsbee for more than 30 years, as well as some other Texas towns, it was no surprise that literally hundreds of messages from her former students came pouring in when they heard of Freeda’s passing.
Freeda was also a very active member of the First United Methodist Church in Silsbee, and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Retired Teachers Association, the Garden Club and many other community organizations.
After retiring from teaching, she took it upon herself to continue being an active and contributing member of society by volunteering almost daily at Silsbee Doctor’s Hospital, St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, The Silsbee Public Library, Hardin County Crime Victims’Assistance Center in Kountze, and the Christian Care Center in Silsbee.
Freeda lived by the philosophy that “life is so much happier if you are busy!” and she was living proof that it was true.
In 2010, she relocated to San Antonio to be closer to her daughter Nancy and family. While there, Freeda continued to mentor elementary school children and also volunteered in the country store at Independence Hill Retirement Community where she lived. She later moved to Honey’s House of Helotes.
Beyond all of this, Freeda also loved traveling, seeing everything she could, meeting new friends, square dancing, and when at home, taking care of her beloved animals over the years. We’re sure that Zark was there to greet her in heaven too.
Freeda’s favorite scriptures were always Proverbs 3:5-6 and 1Corinthians 13:13 and Psalms 23. Her family and friends love her and miss her deeply already, but we rejoice in knowing that she is home at last, home at last.
Donations may be made in memory of Freeda to the First Methodist Church of Silsbee, Texas, or to any of these organizations where she volunteered – Silsbee Public Library (Silsbee, TX), Hardin County Crime Victims Assistance Center (Kountze, TX), or the Christian Care Center (Silsbee, TX).