Joel Robert Freeman

On September 20, 2024, Doctor Joel Robert “Bob” Freeman went quietly into his Father’s merciful arms. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lou Freeman, and his daughter, Claire Keith Freeman, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, and his sister Katherine Jeffcoat of Birmingham, Alabama. He was predeceased by his sister, Martha Louise Chappell of Orlando, Florida.

Bob was born September 23, 1946 in Thomaston, Georgia to Joel C. and Mary K. Freeman. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Thomaston, Georgia and then went to Mercer University in Macon where he graduated Suma Cum Laude in 1968. Upon graduation, he married Emy Lou Alderdice, and they moved to Augusta where he attended medical school at Medical College of Georgia. After graduating medical school, Lou and Bob moved to Charleston for his internship and residency at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). He was board certified in internal medicine and geriatrics.

Bob had a distinguished career as an attending at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Hospital and as an associate professor of medicine at MUSC. Throughout his career, he sought to glorify his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The accomplishment of which he was most proud was the establishment of the Harvest Free Medical Clinic in 2003. Through this facility, he was able to provide quality care to the uninsured and underserved and share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with his patients.

His legacy will continue at the Harvest Free Medical Clinic and those wishing to honor this may make contributions in his memory to the clinic at https://www.hfmc.org/donate or by check mailed to 1670 Drydock Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405.

Services will be held Saturday, September 28, at 11:00am at Grace Bible Church/Solid Rock Bible Baptist Church (1570 Mathis Ferry Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464).