Thomas L. Freeman (CLARKS HILL, S.C.)

CLARKS HILL, S.C. - Deacon Thomas L. Freeman, Sr., of 219 Luke Ferry Road, entered into rest on January 16, 2009. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, January 22, 2009 at Laura Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Winston Oliphant officiating. Interment will be in Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery. Mr. Freeman was employed for many years with the CSX Railroad System. He was a skilled carpenter employed with Fletcher Dudley Construction and L.P. Fooshe Construction Companies. He was a member and deacon of Bethany Baptist Church where he served as treasurer of the senior choir. He leaves to mourn his wife of 63 years, Beatrice Brooks Freeman; eight sons, Thomas L. Freeman, Jr., Claude Freeman (Dorothy), Robert Freeman, James Freeman (Theresa), Ernest Freeman, Michael Freeman (Artrina), Alan Freeman, and Bernard Freeman (Anna); four daughters, Hattie Freeman, Juanita Cumberbatch (Rodney), Linda Ivey (Melvin) and Tycia Jones; two brothers, Clarence Freeman and James Freeman (Irene); six sisters, Carrie Burch (Leonard), Margaret Turman, Lillian Broadwater, Janie Freeman, Bertha Freeman, and Mary Gardenhire (Willie); 21 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; five sisters- in-law; and five brothers-in-law; a host of other relatives and friends. Friends may call at the residence or after 1 p.m. today at the funeral home. The family will receive friends from 6-7:30 p.m. today at the funeral home. G. L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary, 614 West Avenue, North Augusta, S.C. (803) 279-0026.

The Augusta Chronicle-January 21, 2009