Funeral Services for Ina Belle Freeman, Age 85 of Licking, Missouri will be held on Friday, July 31st, 2026 at The Fox Funeral Home, Licking, Missouri, beginning at 1:00 PM. Visitation will precede the service, beginning at 12-Noon. Burial will be in The Hutchason Cemetery, Licking, Missouri.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Blind Mission, in loving memory of Ina.
Ina Belle Freeman was born February 2, 1941 to the late Adam and Leota Bates. She departed this life on July 25, 2026. She was the oldest of thirteen children.
Ina was united in marriage to Charles Ritz in 1959, from this union one daughter and two sons were born, Patricia, Steve, and Greg Ritz. In 1974, she was united in marriage to Austin Freeman and from this union one daughter was born, Pandee Freeman.
Ina accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age. She loved singing in church and often played the piano for services. She was an accomplished guitarist and vocalist. She used her gift to worship God and to bless others. Ina was strong in her faith.
Ina lost her eyesight and lived with blindness for several years. She was brave through those years as she held onto her faith in Christ. She loved her Seeing Eye dog, Deve. He was a small but smart Chihuahua. She loved her family and friends and they loved her. She will be greatly missed and she is greatly loved by Man and God.
Ina is preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; two sisters, Dorette Bates and Dona Greer; and one brother, Russel Bates.
She is survived by her children, Patricia Fall, Steve Ritz, Greg Ritz, and Pandee Holland; and siblings, Frances Holland, Kenneth Bates, Deloris Quick, Roger Bates, Lloyd Bates, Margaret Goets, Dayrl Bates, Adrian Bates, and Bonita Roper.
