Visitation begins for friends, family of Doris ‘Cousin Tuny’ Freeman

JACKSON, Tenn. — With the recent passing of West Tennessee radio and television pioneer Doris Freeman, better known as “Cousin Tuny,” friends and fans had a chance to pay their respects.

Doris “Cousin Tuny” Freeman

“Doris was a real treasure to this community,” Arrington Funeral Home director Bob Arrington said. “She has done more things that people don’t even realize.”

Arrington has been preparing the funeral arrangements for Friday. Wednesday’s visitation was a time for friends to remember the life and legacy of “Cousin Tuny.”

“The family is going to bring some photographs, and we’re going to help create a memorial video to be shown at the visitation,” Arrington said.

Freeman has done work with the Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, and Arrington said she used her “Cousin Tuny” character to visit sick children at the hospital and even attend birthday parties.

“It was never really about anything other than Tuny trying to give back and to help children. She always had that saying about ‘God’s special children.'”

People have been posting their condolences on social media along with reflecting on memories they have of her. Arrington said her love for children will never be forgotten.

“From now on, it will be Doris’s legacy, if there’s such a thing as that, children really, really had a special place in her heart.”

If you would like to pay your respects Thursday, there will be a public visitation with the family from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Hope Hall at Northside United Methodist Church. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday.