Extracted from The Clarion-Ledger (Jackson, MS)
Sunday, August 18, 2013

James Clinton Freeman

Brandon, MS

James Clinton Freeman, passed away on August 16, 2013 at Brandon Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility, surrounded by his loving family, in the same way that he spent his entire life. Visitation will be 2-5pm Sunday, August 18, 2013 and starting at 9am on Monday until the 10am chapel service at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon. Interment will follow in Lakeland Place Garden Park Cemetery in Brandon, MS.

Mr. Freeman was born on December 4th, 1930 in Wisner, Louisiana to Jesse and Sarah Simms Freeman. He was their 3rd born child in a family of 3 sons and 5 daughters. After a brief time living in Louisiana and Arkansas, James and his family eventually settled in the Natchez, MS area, where he would spend the rest of his life.

James Freeman served his country in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953, as well as in the Army National Guard from 1953 to 1956, when he was honorably discharged from the service. Upon leaving the Army, he spent many years managing the Union Center Billiards Hall on Main Street in Natchez, across the street from the historic Eola Hotel. He spent the last years of his working life as a newspaper deliveryman for the Natchez Democrat, as well as serving as a rural route mail carrier for the United States Postal service.

James is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jo Doris Idom Freeman, to whom he was married on November 27th 1953, as well as by his two sons Raymond Keith Freeman and his wife Kathy, and Terry Lane Freeman and his wife Karen. He was preceded in death by his son, James Dale Freeman who was married to Wendy Frank Freeman. Also preceding him in death were his sisters Helen Freeman, Eula Mae Freeman Kirby, Edith Nell Freeman Arnold, and his brother Leo Freeman. Mr. Freeman is also survived by his younger brother Donald Ray Freeman and his sisters Montiel Freeman Doyle and Patricia Freeman Wactor. He has also left behind 3 grandsons, Jeremy Keith Freeman, Jesse Philip Freeman, and Cole Lane Freeman, and 3 granddaughters, Wendy Diane Freeman, Erica Lauren Freeman, and Dana Diane Freeman.

Mr. Freeman was a deacon at Stanton Baptist Church, where he also served as Treasurer during the last years of his life. It was here that he was to form a great friendship with Pastor Steve Purvis, who will also preside over the memorial service for James. Nothing brought Mr. Freeman greater joy than the everyday interaction and friendships that he found within the church.

OTT & LEE FUNERAL HOME