Holland Freeman September 25, 1931. He was raised in Limestone County on the family farm
on Nick Davis Road with his two brothers.
Horace graduated from Athens High School in 1949. His destination was Auburn University
where he studied mathematics and science. He spent his nights sleeping in his favorite
professor's basement while working on his moonshine recipe and losing a few good
handkerchiefs in the process.
In 1950 he left the Loveliest Village on the Plains to enlist in the United States Airforce. Horace
was stationed in Okinawa for 2 years and finished his service stationed in North Carolina.
Horace returned to Limestone County after his honorable discharge and found the love of his
heart, Dolores Thomas. He saw her walking with friends to a progressive dinner, pulled over to
offer them a ride and she slid in the front seat. They have been a pair ever since. They married
on April 20 and honeymooned in Florida in their cute swimsuits. Sixty-four years later she will
still tell you he was the best husband anyone could ask for-they had something truly special. He
always saw Dado, or as you know her, Dolores, as the most amazing and beautiful woman on
the planet. He would stop and play her a beautiful song that reminded him of her and always
told her how pretty she looked. He treasured their love.
Horace owned the full service Amoco station on the corner of 31 and Forrest, where he served
the people of Athens and Limestone County. He showed them a little of the strong dependable
man that we as his family cherished. When the age of full service moved to the quick stop
Horace left the business and went to Saginaw as a quality control engineer.
His retirement from Saginaw started his chicken farming adventure with Aviagen. We grandkids
roller skated on those freshly poured slabs and then spent many a day running through those
chicken houses in hairnets and blue coveralls...Until the new wore off and we realized how
stinky it was, and how mean roosters were.
Those chicken houses are still in operation today. He hasn’t managed day-to-day operations in
recent years, but he definitely kept an eye on things. Everyone remembers the broken neck
incident with the great fall into a pile of chicken poop… He just had to make sure the nests, slats
and houses were cleaned out properly.
Horacey always worked in the wings. Those big hands held us up from the sidelines or theatre
seats, never taking center stage. Always watching and encouraging us to be our best. He loved
each of us for who we are and we were so lucky he was ours. He shared his quiet strength and
humble grace pouring into each of our lives. He kept flowers blooming and squirrels well fed.
His garden would always flourish and his knives were always sharp. I have the scar to prove it.
He always cut up your fruit and fixed your snack plate, or ran a bowl down the road to your
house.
He could cook a mean breakfast and made the best grilled cheese- it had those crispy cheese
edges. He liked his paper towels plentiful, shirts with heavy starch, a nice warm vest, a belt with
his suspenders- because a man can never be too prepared, and his Auburn Tigers. He loved his
babies- big and small, young and old. He loved to spoil and we loved to be spoiled. He showed
us what a good husband, father and grandfather looked like. We know what it means to be
loved, and how to love in return.
Horace went to be with his Saviour at 12:15 am June 12, 2021 surrounded by his wife and
family. He leaves behind a beautiful legacy and a family that loves him. He is survived by his
wife, Dolores Freeman; his children, son, Horace Holland “Butch” Freeman, Jr., wife Beverly;
daughter, Roslyn Freeman Pressnell, husband Mark; daughter, Masi Elizabeth Freeman;
brother, Don Freeman; his grandchildren, Holly Wood, husband Andy; Morgan Pressnell, wife
Alex; Maegen Wilhite, husband Scott. He was blessed with six great grandchildren Holland
Andrew Wood, Mamie Ashlyn Pressnell, Asa Gray Wood, Harrison Scott Wilhite, Michael Lane
Pressnell, and Oliver Freeman Wilhite. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mason and
Frances Freeman, and brother, Ward Freeman.
Pallbearers are Morgan Pressnell, Andy Wood, Scott Wilhite, Wil Stewart, Thomas Stewart,
Evan Stewart, Sam Stewart and Holland Wood. Honorary pallbearers are Ben Freeman, Rocky
Stewart, Steven Stewart, Harrison Wilhite, Lane Pressnell, Oliver Wilhite and Wyatt Stewart.
Horacey, you have sowed faithfully, and your harvest is plentiful.
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