Dr. Moses Nathaniel "Buddy" Freeman

Freeman, Dr. Moses Nathaniel (Buddy), 91, a 67-year resident of Montgomery, passed away December 19, 2020. Buddy was born in 1929 in Early County, Georgia and raised in the countryside of farming and covered bridges just outside the town of Blakeley. His family moved to Barbour County, Alabama, where he graduated from Clayton High School at the age of 16. After serving two years in the United States Navy, Buddy attended and received his undergraduate degree from Troy University, graduating in two years. While carrying his accelerated college curriculum, he played intramural basketball, played the trombone in Troy’s marching band and courted his college sweetheart Peggy Hurst. Buddy and Peggy married in 1951 and lived in Atlanta where Buddy attended dental school at Emory University and Peggy taught physical education and coached the girls’ basketball team in a public high school. Buddy and Peggy settled in Montgomery and opened his dental practice in the Dalraida area of town in 1954. With Peggy managing the office, Buddy and his dental staff served patients until 1995 when he retired from the profession he genuinely loved and practiced for 41 years.

In addition to his always present love of God and his family, Buddy actively participated in sport, educational, professional, church, civic and social organizations throughout his life. He coached his sons’ Little League baseball teams while living in Pike Road in the ‘60s. Buddy was a lifelong tennis enthusiast, one of the originals of a group that added players over the years and became known as the Early Birds at O’Connor Tennis Center. He was known as an entertaining MC and speaker at various events and served on the Montgomery Academy Board of Trustees. A member of the American and Alabama Dental Societies, Buddy served as President of the Second District of Alabama and was a member of the Alabama Board of Public Health. His civic and social organizations included Montgomery Lion’s Club, Montgomery Country Club, Phantom Host and Colonel’s Ball. He worshiped at Capitol Heights Baptist Church where he served as Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent and a Royal Ambassador leader.

Buddy was predeceased by his parents Crawford Calmese and Chellie Ritchie Freeman, his wife Peggy Hurst Freeman, his sister Virginia Freeman Waddell, and his daughter-in-law Catherine Hankins Freeman. He is survived by his sister Calmese Freeman Roberts of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He is survived by his three children: Dr. Ben Hurst Freeman and his wife Wynne of Grayton Beach, Florida; Dr. William Crawford Freeman of Montgomery; and Elizabeth Anne Freeman of Pike Road. He is survived by his five grandchildren: Adair Freeman Rutledge and her husband Jack of Seattle, Washington; Nathalie Kyle Freeman of Brooklyn, New York; Calmese Freeman Brennan and her husband Sean of Brooklyn, New York; John Crawford DeBuys Freeman and his wife Andrea of Birmingham; and McRae Middleton Freeman of Montgomery. He is survived by his three great grandchildren: Caroline Freeman Rutledge and Ben Freeman Rutledge of Seattle, Washington, and Cecilia Catherine Freeman of Birmingham, Alabama.

The family is deeply grateful to Sandra Ross, Lillie Franklin, Lela Jackson and Lillie Jackson of Jennings Professional Nursing Services for their committed and compassionate care of Buddy during his last years at his favorite place in the world, his farm in Pike Road, Alabama.

Due to the COVID-19 virus, there will be a private family graveside service and a celebration of his life will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Capitol Heights Baptist Church, 2514 Madison Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36107 or to a charity of your choice.

Dr. Moses N. “Buddy” Freeman