Regena Kaye (Dean) Freeman passed away on Friday, October 2nd, 2026 in Huntsville, Alabama, leaving behind a cherished legacy of love, devotion, and unending optimism.

Born on July 28, 1945, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, she was the daughter of James “Jim” Dean, an oilfield pumper, and Ruth G. (Helms) Dean, a pioneer woman who descended from the Will Rogers family ranch staff.  As the sixth of six daughters, Regena grew up with her sisters—Betty, Bobbie, Carolyn, Barbara, and Patricia—in a close-knit, modest family environment. Her early education began in a one-room schoolhouse near Prague, Oklahoma, before she attended elementary school in Whitesboro, Texas, and eventually completed fourth through eleventh grades in Healdton, Oklahoma. 

Regena’s early life was filled with the vibrant energy of the era. A lifelong Elvis Presley fan beginning in the 1950s, she spent her youth enjoying sock hop dances, skating at the Healdton Armory, dragging Main Street, enjoying drug store fountain drinks, working at the city pool, attending house parties and sleepovers, and spending weekends at Saturday “Previews”, Sunday matinees, drive-in movies, and high school athletic games.

In 1963, she dated Vince Freeman and entered into a 35-year marriage in August 1963, before her senior year. At age 18 in 1964, she had her first child, Vince Jr., in Fort Worth, Texas.  The couple later moved to Redondo Beach, California, where Regena earned her high school diploma from Torrance High School. In California, she had the surreal fortune of being spontaneously selected to join the live studio audience for the historic 1968 “Elvis” NBC television special.

Regena and her family moved to Whitewright, Texas in 1970, to work at Carl’s Tasty Sausage Co., which was owned by Vince’s kin, the MacFatridge family.  Regena was blessed with a daughter, Jodi Kaye, born in Sherman, Texas in 1975. She also worked as a bank teller in Sherman in the 1970s. Regena gave back to her community as a Cub Scout Den Mother and pursued her love of activity through local bowling and golf leagues during the 1970s, where she earned a “Most Improved” honor. She was an active member of First Baptist Church, Whitewright and very much a part of community activities. 

After moving from Whitewright, Texas, to Moore, Oklahoma, in 1980, Regena worked in banking as a teller and Assistant Vice President. She later took a position as the counselor’s secretary at Moore High School, where she became a familiar and caring presence within the school community.

When the family moved to Edmond, Oklahoma, Regena continued her career in education. She began working at Summit Middle School, then at Edmond Memorial High School, and ultimately with Edmond Public Schools Administration, where she worked in Accounts Payable until her retirement in 2015.
Throughout her years working in the public school system, Regena made many wonderful friendships, several of which became lifelong. She was appreciated for her pleasant personality, kindness, and genuine care for the people around her, making friends wherever she went. She loved her family fiercely, valued her friendships deeply, and never missed an opportunity to enjoy the people and moments in her life.  Family was always at the heart of her life. She was well-traveled and never missed an opportunity to visit her children and grandchildren, wherever they lived in military service.

Faith and community were central to Regena’s life. A lifelong Christian, her active faith was evident in every church community in which she participated. In 2024 Regena moved to Huntsville, Alabama to be near her daughter and family.  

Regena is survived by her son, Vincent Freeman, Jr.; her daughter, Jodi Jefferis, son-in-law, Jason Jefferis; and her six cherished grandchildren: Levi Freeman, Luke Freeman, Laura Lee Freeman, Leigha Noel Freeman, Keithlee Jefferis, and Kinzlee Jefferis.

The family is deeply grateful for those who have continued to love and support Regena throughout her journey with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease, which eventually took her life. The outpouring of love for her has been a beautiful reminder of the lives she touched and the friendships she built throughout her life. The family is eternally grateful to all for helping carry us through the final chapter of her life.

Though she will be deeply missed, Regena’s story, her laughter, her memories, and the love she gave so freely will live on in the hearts of everyone who knew her.  Her optimism, kindness, and love of life will remain an enduring legacy for her family and friends—and especially for the children and grandchildren who were so blessed to call her Mom, Nene, and Granny.