Alphonzo Freeman

“May the work I’ve done speak for me”, resonated in the heart of Alphonzo Freeman. He was a stalwart example of a strong man of few words, but consistent actions. Born on August 18, 1937 to Ellen and Millard Fillmore Freeman in Lexington, Mississippi, Alphonzo Freeman was the third of five children. The sunset of his life occurred on May 14, 2023 as he crossed over into the ancestral realm. He lived a full, beautiful life as a son, brother, husband, father and friend.

At the age of two, he and his family moved to the west side of Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Freeman graduated from Marshall High School in 1955, where he was a star basketball player. He went on to major in Physical Education and Psychology at the HBCU, Lincoln University, in Jefferson City, Missouri. His athletic prowess landed him a basketball scholarship that fully funded his education. He was also a proud member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity at Lincoln University. He culminated his education at the University of Minnesota, receiving his Masters of Social Work in 1978.

At Lincoln University, Alphonzo met the love of his life, Kathryn P. Pickens. They married in 1957. This union produced three beautiful children; Karen (Aakhu), Anthony and Natalie. This family was bound together by bus, train, and road trips to St. Louis and down south, board games, amusement parks and a love of music. Alphonzo fostered a hunger for academics and an informed world view. He instilled a strong work ethic, as well as a desire for and an expectation of achievement.

After graduating from Lincoln University, he began a prodigious career that spanned five decades. As a serving leader, he supported under privileged and at-risk children via various organizations. He served as Executive Director of Off the Street Club, Chicago’s oldest boys and girls club. He was also the Executive Director of the Sears Community Center, a Chicago organization that helped to uplift children and young adults. He directed several YMCAs, worked with Hennepin County in Minnesota, and DC Child & Family Services. The impact of his diligence lives in the generations of young people’s lives that he touched.

Alphonzo Freeman departed this life at the age of 85 years. He is predeceased by his parents, and his brothers Charles Freeman and Abraham Freeman. He is lovingly honored by his wife Kathryn, his son Anthony, his daughters Aakhu and Natalie, his brother Fillmore Freeman, his sister Mary Ellen Jenkins, his grandson Andrew W. Freeman, and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

“May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”