Elmer Newell 'Bud' Free

Elmer Newell “Bud” Free, 82, of Natchitoches went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 25, 2007. The family will be receiving friends Tuesday, August 28, 2007 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home, 848 Keyser Ave., Natchitoches, LA. Services celebrating his life will be held at First Baptist Church of Natchitoches on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Brother Tommy Rush will be officiating the service with assistance from Reverend Perry Web. Bud was born June 18, 1925 in Pleasant Hill, LA to Lee Roy and Annie Bell Free. He married his wife of 57 years, Melba Haley McKee Free, on March 31, 1950. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1942-1945 during WWII in the South Pacific on the U.S.S. Stephen Potter. He retired after 36 years from Tenneco Gas Pipeline Division. He was a dedicated and active member of First Baptist Church of Natchitoches for over 50 years. Bud was a member of Veterans of Foreign War and the American Legion. His love of God and music lead him to found the Free Singers gospel group in his home over 13 years ago. Bud and Melba’s garden have become a hallmark in their community. He spent many hours daily cultivating his garden, baking bread, bird watching, and reading his Bible. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee Roy and Annie Bell Free; and his son, Chris Free. He is survived by his three sisters, Ruby Lee Roberts and Virginia Byles, both of Shreveport, LA and Alene Bates of Calvin, LA; his children Edsel McKee and wife Patricia of Natchitoches, Dee Gamble and husband Dr. D.E. Gamble of Shreveport, and Dennis Free of Bossier City; his grandchildren Lisa McKee Burns and husband Chris of Benton, Kevin McKee and wife Sheri of Metairie, and Lara Travis Deupree and husband Kelly of Dallas; and his great-grandchildren, Chandler and Emmalyn Burns, Kylie McKee, and Grace Deupree; and many nieces and nephews. Pallbearers for the service will be Kevin McKee, Chris Burns, John Howell, Kevin Walker, Steve Traxler, and Monty Traxler. Honorary pallbearers are Eddie White, Arthur Haymon, Bill Shaw, Glynn Price, Harrell Roberson, Edgar Roge, Bruce Thomas, Lloyd Ponder, and Jack Farmer. The family would like to express gratitude to Dr. Jim Burke, Dr. Anil Chhabra, Dr. James Hobley, Dr. Doug Rimmer, and Russ Robinson, FNP for their compassionate care; the nurses and staff of Willis-Knighton Medical Center; and the home health nurses and therapists with Thompson Home Health. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Bud Free’s honor to the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance (1201 West 5th Street, Suite T-700 Los Angeles, CA 90017), the American Heart Association (745 Olive Street, Shreveport, LA, 71104) , or the Philadelphia Center (2020 Centenary, Shreveport, LA 71104).