Doris Free (January 8th, 1944 – July 6th, 2026)

Doris Free, 82, of Northport, passed away on the morning of July 6, 2026, at Hospice of West Alabama, surrounded by family.

Services honoring the life of Doris Free will be held Monday, July 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Corinth Baptist Church in Elrod with Reverend Donald Springer officiating. Burial will follow in the adjoining church cemetery with Magnolia Chapel North directing. Family and friends are invited to join us in sharing memories and saying our final farewell.

Doris is preceded in death by her parents, Horace and Eunice (Addison) Barrett, and her husband, Manley Dawson Free.

She is survived by her son, Kenneth Free; daughter, Emily Free; brothers Colin Barrett (Jena) and Jerry Barrett (Carolyn); sisters Faye Lacefield (Jim) and Deborah Barrett; and nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and great-nephews, including Scott with children Owen and Nora Barrett (Colin), Emily with children Abe and Geneva Childs (Jerry), Jeff with children Hazel and Henry Barrett (Jerry), Clay (Sally) with children Io and Emma Lacefield (Faye), and Hyla Lacefield (Faye).

Pallbearers will be Larry Davis, Robert Talley, Bill Ignatz, Mark Watson, Abe Childs and Henry Barrett.

Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Stephen and Pam Browne, Randy and Amy Arnold, Bobby and Vidie Lavinsky, Marcy Koontz, Toby and Teri Martin, Ray and Stephanie Price, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Beck, Rand and Susan Smith, and the staff of Hospice of West Alabama.

Doris was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on January 8, 1944, and a couple of years later her family moved to Elrod, Alabama, to the Corinth community, which she called home until she married. She lived her married life in the same close-knit community near downtown Northport for over 60 years. Doris started in the workforce as a teacher's aide at Matthews Elementary School, where she truly enjoyed her job and loved being there for the students. She later joined her brother Jerry to help support his State Farm Insurance Agency, and together they worked hard to serve the community for over 30 years. During retirement, Doris focused on saving animals in need and ensured unwanted pets that found their way to her community were given medical care and a home. She loved all animals great and small and stepped in to help when they were in need. Doris left a positive impression on those she met and will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her honor to your favorite animal rescue organization.