Burnett Freeman

Burnett Freeman, better known as “Buster”, was born in Penola, Virginia to the late Jeff and Matilda Freeman on June 22, 1922. He grew up

in this area and joined Mt. Salem Baptist Church at an early age. He always wanted to help the family and with his mother’s assistance,

joined the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad when he was seventeen years old. He then served in the Armed Forces during World War II and often said that although the military was difficult, it also made him strong…strong enough to overcome most obstacles he faced in life. He met and later married Hazel Childs of Caroline County, Virginia. They remained together until her death in 1993.

After being honorably discharged from the Army, he went back to work for the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad (RF&P). He worked 40 more years until his retirement in 1983. The hours were long, the work hard, but he endured and felt a great sense of accomplishment. Burnett never asked much from life, he was not materialistic in anyway and got much of his pleasure from cooking, fishing, hunting and most of all, working in his yard at home, where he demonstrated his creativity and wonderful green thumb. All who knew him could feel his pride. His good humor and unselfish nature endeared him to his family. He will always be remembered for his love, devotion and concern for his family, friends and neighbors.