Charles Edward "Charlie" Freeman, Sr.

Charles Edward “Charlie” Freeman, 90, went to be with the Lord on April 23, 2016. Born April 21, 1926, he was preceded in death by his parents, William Thomas and Lola Murrin Freeman. He leaves Dorothy, his wife of 69 years, children Charles E. (Chuck) Freeman, Jr. (Linda) of Jackson, TN and Elizabeth Ann Freeman Brown (Bill) of Memphis, TN; grandchildren Stuart Lee Freeman (Michelle) of Topsham, ME, Stacey Dionne Freeman Harper of Southhaven, MS and three great-grandsons, Dalton Harper of Mooresville, NC, Nicholas Freeman and Nathan Freeman of Topsham, ME. He also leaves behind his beloved sisters-in-law, Ann S. Pyron (Maurice) and June S. Vance of Memphis and brother-in-law, Robert Stuart (Merle) of Sun City West, AZ as well as a dear friend of both Dorothy and Charlie, Jeane W. Fullerton.

Charlie graduated from Nicholas Blackwell High School (now Bartlett High School) in 1944, and enlisted in the Army Air Corps. After WWII, he joined the United States Navy Reserve and was called to active duty during the Korean War, and served his country faithfully for almost 20years. He rose rapidly through the ranks leaving the Navy as a Chief Petty Officer - the highest enlisted rank at that time -specializing in aviation technology.

After his Naval career, Charlie was employed by Scripps-Howard Broadcasting where he served as an engineer on the staff of Channel 5 before retiring after 25 years, Charlie and Dorothy then began enjoying their retirement by traveling, spending time with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, friends and relatives.

Charlie was a member of Bartlett United Methodist Church for over 80 years where he and Dorothy were active in many church activities. He had a great love of music and was a percussionist in several bands including the Shrine Band and the Bartlett Community Concert Band. He passed this love of music to his children and was honored by the Shrine Band who named their main rehearsal room after him. Devoted to the Masonic Fraternities, he was a member for over 50 years.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 28 from 12 to 2 at Memphis Funeral Home, 3700 N. Germantown Road. A Masonic service will be held at 2 followed by the funeral service. Interment will be at Memphis Memory Gardens, 6444 Raleigh LaGrange Road.

Donations may be made to the Shrine Transportation Fund, Bartlett Methodist Church or the charity of the donor’s choice. The family would especially like to thank the staff of the Methodist Hospice Residence for their compassionate care of Charlie during his last days. Online condolences may be made at memphisfuneralhome.net.