Frank W. Freeman, Sr., 83, of Fitzgerald, died Saturday, January 12, 2013, at his residence.
Funeral services will be held 2 PM, Tuesday, January 15, 2013, at Faith Baptist Church with the Rev. Cecil Burkett and the Rev. Dr. Lloyd Stembridge officiating. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery with full military honors and Masonic rites. The family will receive friends from 7-9 Monday evening at the funeral home.
Mr. Freeman was born April 15, 1929 in Fitzgerald to the late D.I. & Florita Barnes Freeman. He served in the U.S. Army and was retired Master Sergeant for the Georgia Army National Guard. Mr. Freeman was the former owner/operator of Fitzgerald Nursery. He was a 50-year member of the American Legion. Mr. Freeman was a Past Master of Pine Level Lodge #353 F.&A.M., where he had been a member for 63 years. He was also a member of Sycamore Lodge #210 F.&A.M. in Ashburn and Daylight Lodge #745 F.&A.M. in Tifton. He had served all stations and was a Past Master of the Third Masonic District. He had also served as a District Deputy to the Grand Master and as Custodian of the Uniform Work for the Third District. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife: Jeanette Freeman of Fitzgerald; daughter and son-in-law: Barbara Ann Morgan & Randy of Ocilla; two sons and daughters-in-law: William D. “Pee Wee” Freeman & Cindy and Greg Freeman & Jeanine, all of Fitzgerald; step-daughter and son-in-law: Sally Rust & David of Osteen, Florida; seven grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one step-great-grandchild; and four sisters: Donnette & Henry Ivemeyer of Fitzgerald, Jessie & Albert Welch of Babson Park, Florida, Alice & Ralph Ross of Lawtey, Florida, and Ruby Welch of Tallahassee, Florida. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife: Barbara Jean Rabon Freeman; one son: Frank W. Freeman, Jr.; three brothers and 4 sisters.