Ellis and Maxine Freeman
July 23, 1911 ~ January 6, 2015
Born in:
Green, MO
Resided in:
Stone Mountain, GA
Obituary
Ellis Barney Freeman was born on July 23, 1911 in Springfield, Missouri and Maxine Mae Freeman (née McGee) was born on August 30, 1918 in St. Joseph, MO.
In 1929, Ellis attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Upon his return to Missouri he married Maxine on December 19, 1935. Ellis would go on to become one of the first African Americans to be appointed to the position of Civil Service Examiner with the United States Postal Service while Maxine lovingly supported her husband and family as a homemaker (and a librarian later in life), raising their two children Greggory and Rebecca.
Ellis and Maxine have always been deeply involved in their community. Ellis taught Sunday for over 30 years and served on the YMCA ‘Branch’ Board of Directors. Maxine was the first African American elected as President of Church Women United and served as the Parks & Recreation Director for Summer Youth Programs. Both were also active in the NAACP.
In 1989, Ellis and Maxine relocated to Stone Mountain, Georgia where they continued to serve their community and were dedicated members of White Oak Hills Baptist Church. Maxine became a leader in their resident Main Street Community and Ellis was honored at Morehouse College’s 2008 and 2013 Commencements as the oldest living member of the class of 1933 and honorably inducted into the Morehouse College Alumni Society. For their 70th wedding anniversary the loving couple were recognized for their everlasting love by the DeKalb County CEO. They celebrated 79 years of marriage in December 2014.
Ellis Freeman (103 years old) and Maxine Freeman (96 years old) passed away within one week of each other – Tuesday January 6th and Tuesday January 13th, 2015, respectively. They have been reunited again through their eternal love. Ellis and Maxine are survived by their children Greggory and Rebecca, grandchildren – Scott and Jasmine, and great-grandchildren – Marcus and Nia.
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We celebrate the life and home-going of our dear brother Ellis Freeman. We heard of the passing of brother Freeman and sister Freeman. Brother Freeman served as trustee and Sunday School teacher for more than 12 years. We pray that the God will comfort the Freeman family during their period of bereavement. God Bless. Pastor Dr. W. A. Hedge and the St. Francis Baptist Temple Church Family.
Gregory, Rebecca, Scott, Jasmine, Marcus and Nia. Mr. & Mrs. Freeman were our longtime neighbors, and we have kept in touch all of these years. This was the first Christmas that we did not hear from them, and were wondering how they were doing. When our Christmas Card was returned to sender, we were sure something had changed.
I, Jacqueline Williams was Mr. Freeman’s assistant classroom teacher for years in the Junior Class. Mrs. Freeman was truly my back bone, they will be missed, but never forgotten.
Mr. Freeman gave me away to my husband when we were married December 24, 1988. He and Mrs. Freeman were proud to stand in as our parents. My daughter Precious reminded me on facebook today about those little cakes Mrs. Freeman would bake for our Junior Class and always made some for me to take home to our family. We have never replaced our neighbors, our dear friends.
To hear they passed within seven days apart is truly a love story! What mentors…God truly blessed them with loving each other until death did they part. They were so blessed by their children, grandchildren and great grand children. So very proud of Jasmine who is the same age as our son John, Jr. The sent pictures every year and kept us up to date on your life through graduation and marriage. We still remember you as a little girl at St. Francis Baptist Temple with your Mom.
Gregory and Rebecca, your parents were very proud of you, and always bragged to us about how good you were to them and how you blessed them, even after you were educated and successful, you made sure that continued to live the life style your were raised to be accustomed too. God will also bless you beyond your wildest imaginations. We shall see them again. Oh what a rejoice it will be.
Be Blessed Family, Mr. & Mrs. Freeman will still be watching out for you, smiling down from heaven, telling everyone there how proud the are of you!
Becky and Greg,
Mother and I extend to you and your family our heartfelt sympathy at this difficult time. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Since we cannot attend the memorial service we will send our remarks via this website. Mother and I are so very sorry to hear about your mom and dad passing so close together. Wow what a life they lived, and Wow what a love story they shared while on this earth. A father age 103 and a mother age 96. What wonderful parents you had. I cannot count how many times I stayed at your home, day and night, on Sylvania Street in St. Joe. MO. They are too numerous to count. I cannot count how many times I ate at your house and each time your parents would say “eat this even if you don’t like it and you will live a long life”. They would always fix good healthy meals. I guess they knew what they were talking about. How many times did my mother call your house and ask that you all “please” send me back down the street to my own home? They are too numerous to count.
I remember the last time mother, my daughter, and I visited you all in Stone Mountain Ga about 5 years ago. We shared so many stories, so many laughs, and so much fun. What a time, what a time!
Your parents adored you two and your children. They could talk for hours about what Beck and Greg and their children were doing in their lives, and how proud they were of you. How successful you all were and all the many accomplishments.
Yes they will be missed but you all were very blessed to have them with you for so many years and you were their “Joy” and kept them going.
So on Saturday, January 17, 2015 you will celebrate the lives of two wonderful happy people that made history. It will definitely be a “Celebration of Life”. Be proud, thankful, and smile! Please know that we love you and are celebrating with you!
Love, Sandi and Ms. Shirley
We are so sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort, continue to be with you and your family during this difficult time. We all look forward to a time, when death will be no more-Rev 21:4. Our prayers are with you .