Willie B. Freeman

Celebrating the Life of Willie B. Freeman. Sunrise: September 12, 1937. Sunset: April 26, 2015. Service: Saturday, May 2, 2015; Wake 9:00 A.M.; Service 10:00 A.M. Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, 4501 South Vincennes, Chicago, IL 60653. Pastor Marcel Kerr, Officiating. Obituary: A Shining gem that brought light to all the lives that he touched. He was a man of integrity, humility, strength, strong spiritual values, family-oriented, dignified and always well-dressed. Deacon Willie Freeman was all of these things that were nurtured in him from birth, by his parents. His life reflected "the goodness of God." Willie Brown Freeman was affectionately called "Skookie" by family and childhood friends. He was the fourth child born to the late John Henry Freeman Sr. and Ellen Rias Freeman, on September 12, 1937. Two brothers, Eddie Wallace Freeman and John Henry Jr. preceded him in death. Willie received his education from Sidon Industrial School, where he graduated. He was baptized in a lake pool at the age of nine by the Rev. Milton Young at Oak Grove Missionary Church. After relocating to Chicago in 1957, he later joined the Ebenezer M.B. Church under the leadership of Rev. Frank K. Sims. At Ebenezer, he served on the Usher Board #2 for over thirty years. He was ordained as Deacon November 4, 2001 and as treasurer, he participated in the Sunday School Outreach Program until his health failed him. Willie began his work as an operations clerk for Prudential Securities. He also worked as a parking attendant for Sies Parking in downtown Chicago, and served tirelessly at both jobs for thirty-five years until his retirement. Willie was united in matrimony to Ethel L. Smith on June 3, 1962. He said that God made her just for him. He was a devoted, attentive family man who loved taking care of his wife, children and grandchildren. He loved the springtime, working around the house, planting flowers, painting and spring cleaning. He also had a love for driving cars. Willie Brown Freeman departed this life on Sunday, April 26, 2015 at 12:35 P.M. He leaves to cherish his memories: wife of fifty-three years, Ethel Freeman; two sons, Aloysius Gerell of Southhaven, Mississippi and Roderick Darnell (Renee) of Shawnee, Kansas; one daughter, Cassandra Lynn Myart of Chicago, Illinois; one brother, Thomas Freeman (Raydean) of Memphis, Tennessee; one sister, Clara Williams of Greenwood, Mississippi; one God-daughter, Melynda Brooks of Chicago, Illinois; one grandson, Roderick D. Freeman Jr.; two granddaughters, Cashmere Verlynn Myart and Roslyn Denae Freeman; and extended family, the Campbell's, Naomi, McKenzie, Angela, Belinda and McKenzie Jr. He is further survived by the four brothers-in-law, three sisters-in-law; and a host of nieces and nephews. Order of Service: Meditation Prelude; Processional; Scripture - Old Testament, Psalm 100, Minister Greg Freeman; New Testament, Matthew 6:9-13, Pastor Marcel Kerr; Prayer of Consolation, Pastor Marcel Kerr; Musical Selection, "I Won't Complain", Stanley Stovall; Expressions (Two Minutes Please), Dea. James Smith, Mrs. Naomi Campbell, Ms. Kathy Freeman; Resolutions, Sis. Patricia Butts; Obituary, Dr. Maxine Toliver; Family Expressions, Cashmere Myart/Granddaughter, Roderick Freeman Sr./Son, Thomas Freeman/Brother, Roslyn Freeman/Granddaughter, Roderick Freeman Jr./Grandson, Cassandra Myart/Daughter, Aloysius Freeman/Son; Solo, Bro. Joe Mukes; Eulogy, Pastor Marcel Kerr; Musical Selection, "Going Up Yonder", Choir; Reviewal; Recessional. Interment: St. Mary Cemetery, 87th & Hamlin Ave., Evergreen Park, Illinois 60805. Repast: Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church. Pallbearers: Aloysius Freeman, Roderick Freeman Sr., Roderick Freeman Jr., Thomas Freeman, John Smith, Willie Smith, McKenzie Campbell Jr., Aaron Freeman, Reginald Murphy, Vernell Myart Sr., Phillip Freeman, Charlie Thomas, Gregory Freeman. Acknowledgments from The Family of Willie Brown Freeman. Arrangements: Leak and Sons Funeral Chapels, Chicago, IL / Country Club Hills, IL.