John Samuel Freeman

Freeman in Moultrie, Georgia. He graduated from Colquitt County High School, where he lead

the Packer football team to many victories as their captain. He continued his education by

earning his Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering at Auburn University and his Master Degree in

Finance at Valdosta State University.

Sam served his country in the Navy with Mobile Construction Battalion 58 as a Lieutenant for

two tours in Vietnam. He was proud of his Sea Bee brothers and enjoyed attending annual

reunions with them.

Most of Sam's working life was spent with Georgia Power Company, where he fully and

enthusiastically embraced the company motto "A citizen wherever we serve." He worked in the

Valdosta, Gwinnett, Summerville and Rome offices. After retirement from "the Company", as he

called it, he worked for Georgia Northwestern Technical College with the adult literacy program.

His last full time employer was the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce as Director of

Business and Industry Services. In retirement, Sam enjoyed driving a golf cart or a shuttle bus

as needed for The Season Events.

The lives of many Romans have been affected by Sam's extensive service to the community he

loved. As Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce, he

was instrumental in working with other community leaders to develop the Rome Floyd 2020

Plan, which continues to be a model for the growth and development of our community. The

United Way of Rome, Georgia Power Employees Credit Union, Etowah Youth Science and

Technology Center, the Floyd County Board of Elections and the Rome Floyd County

Development Authority are organizations he enjoyed serving. His current involvements include

the Floyd Healthcare Management Board, the Polk Medical Center Board, the Family Resource

Center Board, Georgia Power Ambassadors, the Historic Preservation Committee, and One

Community United group. Although not one to seek attention, he was deeply moved by being

named for a Heart of the Community award.

Sam's church home was Trinity United Methodist Church, which he served as Chair of the

Trustees committee.

The quintessential Southern Gentleman, Sam loved his Auburn Tigers and attended home

games or watched them with Cheryl, whom he recruited to the War Eagle way of life. He loved

John Wayne movies, could quote the Lonesome Dove movies, and read widely. He enjoyed

travel, feeding hummingbirds and songbirds in the backyard and was not fond of squirrels.

Mourning his passing and cherishing their memories are his beloved wife Cheryl, his adored son

John Samuel Freeman, Jr. and his wife, Jennifer, his "steppies" Sarah Huffman and Will

Huffman, sisters Elaine Bullock and her husband David, Bonnie Moore and her husband Marvin,

sister in law Lisa Caudill and her husband Dale, brother in law Kevin Wearmouth and many

nieces, nephews, and cousins. His beautiful smile will be greatly missed by many lifelong

friends, neighbors, business associates, and many others whose lives he touched.

A memorial service was held at Trinity United Methodist Church on Wednesday, October 19,

2016 at 3 p.m. with Associate Pastor Jonathan Lawson officiating. The family received friends

at First United Methodist Church of Rome in the Wilder Center on Tuesday, October 18, 2016

from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Flowers will be enjoyed and memorial contributions may be made to Trinity United Methodist

Church or one of the many Floyd County charitable organizations of the giver's choosing.