Drucilla "Dru" Freeman Ross, age 84 of Malvern, died early Monday morning, October 19, 2009, in the Malvern Nursing Home. She was born on December 17, 1924 in Sparkman , Arkansas to the late Jim and Jamie Rogers Nix. Reared and educated in Sparkman, she had been a resident of Malvern since 1952. She was the widow of the late Connie Freeman, who died in 1969. Upon her husband's death, she began working as a nurse's aide at the Hot Spring County Medical Center. She later became a physical therapy aide under the leadership of Dennis Morris, in which capacity she served for a number of years. Dru was a loving mother and grandmother, and was very adept at sewing and crocheting.

She is survived by her children, Rita Lawrence and her husband Mike of Malvern; Phillip Freeman and his wife Susie of Lubbock, Texas; and Ronnie Freeman and his wife Suzi of Fayetteville, Arkansas; by two brothers, James Nix and his wife Frances of Rison, and Curtis Nix of Benton, Louisiana; by three grandchildren, Josh Freeman, Drew Green, and Lindsey Green; by three step-grandchildren; and by four great-grandchildren, Mikaela Adams, Briar Green, Riley Freeman, and Emma Freeman.

She was also preceded in death by three sisters and two brothers.

Her funeral will be held at two o'clock Wednesday afternoon, October 21, 2009 in the chapel of J. A. Funk Funeral Home with Brother Rick McClure officiating.Interment will follow in Rest Haven Cemetery .

Pallbearers will be: Tommy Nix, Dennis Morris, Gaylon Bumgardner, Mike Lawrence, Drew Green, and Josh Freeman.

Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Ray Bollen and the staff of Malvern Nursing Home.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from six until eight o'clock.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.