Inda Anna Francis (Freeman) Dobson

While attending the Texas County Old Settlers Reunion, Inda took her seven children, along with Tommy Reed and his family, not realizing an admission fee was required to enter. Not having a lot of money, Tommy had the idea of putting both groups together into one group to get the cheaper “family rate.” Tommy pointed to Inda and said, this is “Granny,” pointed to his wife and said, this is “Ma” and these are “all the kids.” Thus the name “Granny” was born.

Inda Anna (Freeman) Reed-Dobson, “Granny,” was born on May 15, 1926 in Douglas County, Missouri, to George and Christina (Holt) Freeman, and passed away on Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at her residence in Mtn. Grove, Missouri. She was 86 years, 4 months and 3 days of age.
Inda grew up and attended school in Douglas County and was united in marriage to Elmer Reed. Following Elmer’s passing, she was married to Melvin Dobson. They made their home near Mtn. Grove for over forty-years.
Inda was employed by Brown Shoe Company, and retired after thirty-two years of dedicated service. In her later years, she continued taking care of her farm and livestock and enjoyed tending to her garden and sharing the fruits of her labor with those around her. She also continued to fish in her spare time.
She enjoyed fish fries with her family and friends, and also enjoyed shopping at yard sales.
Inda was an active member of the Oak Grove Freewill Baptist Church in Texas County and enjoyed attending services as long as her health permitted.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Elmer Reed; her second husband: Melvin Dobson; one brother: Delbert; five sisters: Elva, Pearlie, Zella, Lucy, and Maxine; one son: Dallas Reed; a son-in-law: Steve Murr; and by a grandson: Buddy Kennedy.
She is survived by two sons: Junior Reed of Mtn. Grove and Billy Reed of Cabool, Missouri; four daughters: Virginia Kennedy and her husband, Glen, of Mtn. Grove, Sharrion Vandivort and her husband, Bill, of Houston, Missouri, Geneva Scheets and her husband, Benny, of Cabool, Missouri, and Janice Murr and her fiancé, Duane Duke, of Mtn. Grove; a daughter-in-law: Patty Reed; twenty-three grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews who knew her as “Mom.”
Not only did Inda raise her seven children to continue her loving legacy, a multitude of others have been inspired by her selfless giving. She was saved and baptized at an early age and her love for God showed through, even until her final days.
For those of you who had the opportunity of knowing her, you understand how hard it is to express how deeply she touched each of our lives. She was a classy and charming lady with a great sense of humor. She offered help and assistance to anyone who had a need. The thought of Heaven is now more appealing just knowing that Inda is there.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the Hospice Compassus staff. Their caring demeanor and genuine concern were very much appreciated and were a great comfort to Inda during her last days.


Funeral Service: Saturday,
September 22, 2012 at 10:00 AM

in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel.



Visitation: Friday, September
21st from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
in the funeral home.



Burial: Pleasant Hill Cemetery



Memorial Contributions: The Gideons

or The American Cancer Society c/o the funeral home.