Our Beautiful Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother Bessie Freels Gilmore, age 77, of Harriman, formally from Khotan-Windrock, passed away on November 16, 2025. She is preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Michael “Cordell” Gilmore, her parents, John and Verdia Dunlap Nelson Freels along with six brothers: R.V and Leonard Nelson, Jess, Frank, Earl and Lonas Freels, and sixteen sisters: Blanch, Mary, Gladys, Abbie, Mary (“Elizabeth”) Alice, Ethel, Betty, Linda, Shelby Jean, Georgia Ann, Viola, twin sisters Annie, Nannie, and infant twin sisters.

She was survived by her four children, Lisa Lopez (David), Michael Gilmore (Paula), Donna Pridemore (Brian) of Kingston, TN, Selena Childs (Brad “Cheese”) of Oliver Springs, TN, eight grandchildren, Jana Jones (Ryan) of Oliver Springs, TN, Kayla Gilmore (Andrew O’Gara), of Hendersonville, TN, Jessica Taylor (Luke) of Knoxville, TN, Isaac Crabtree (Amanda), Conner Crabtree of Harriman, TN, Cassidy Gilmore of Knoxville, TN, Colby Childs of Oliver Springs, TN and Adara Lopez of Interlachen, Fl and two great-grandchildren, Mila O’Gara and Rylan Jones. She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, each of whom holds a special place in her heart.

Mrs. Gilmore was born on May 1, 1948, in Khotan of Anderson County at the foot of Windrock Mountain Oliver Springs. A coal miner’s daughter, she grew up attending Union Valley Baptist Church with her family until the death of her father in 1962, after which her mother relocated the family to the Little Emory community in Harriman. It was there that she met her future husband, Cordell Gilmore, and then married on June 19, 1966.

For 20 years, Mrs. Gilmore worked alongside her husband at J.W. Gibson Construction Company and Rhondene Corporation, before retiring to devote her time to her family. She especially enjoyed caring for her grandchildren and researching family genealogy. Following the passing of her husband in 2016, her health declined and she resided with her daughter the last year, who cared for her.

Services will be held at Sharp Funeral Home in Oliver Springs, TN. Receiving of friends will be Tuesday, November 18, 2025, from 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. with the funeral service to follow at 7:00 P.M. with Rev. Wayne Morgan officiating. Graveside service will be Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. at Smith-Freels Family Cemetery in the Batley community of Clinton, TN.

Pallbearers will be David Freels, Mike Freels, Gary Freels, Isaac Crabtree, Conner Crabtree, and Colby Childs.

Family would like to extend a Thank you to the Hospice caregivers, Erin, Hannah and Alana.

Sharp Funeral Home is proud to be serving the Gilmore family during this time of need.