Michael Free

Dandridge, TN, Michael Wayne Free, age 61, passed away on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at his residence. Michael was a native of Haywood County, he is the son of Edward Marshall and Nancy Shoaf Free. He was preceded in death by a sister, Martha Cochran. Michael was employed by Evergreen Packaging with 24 years service as an electrician and served as a member of their Emergency Response Team. Michael's life and love was his family. He took great pleasure in hiking, photographing, hunting and fishing the mountains of Western North Carolina. He will be greatly missed, but forever remembered by his family and many friends. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife of 7 1/2 years, Kay Carter Free; two daughters, Tara Smathers and her husband, Brent, of Mars Hill, NC and Jill Free of Clyde; a stepson, Brian Varner of Charlotte, NC; a sister, Zachary Mason and her husband, Jim, of Canton; and five grandchildren, Ethan, Aaron, Deanna, Jacob and Daniel. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 30, 2014 at Long's Chapel United Methodist Church where he was a member. Reverend Dr. Charles W. "Chuck" Wilson will officiate. Burial will follow at Crawford/Ray Memorial Gardens. Serving as pallbearers will be Evergreen Packaging Emergency Response Team. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:45 p.m. Saturday in the Venue at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Long's Fund of Long's Chapel United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 459, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745 or Good Samaritan Clinic of Waynesville, 33 Sims Circle, Waynesville, NC 28786 or Open Door Ministries, 32 Commerce Street, Waynesville, NC 28786.

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