Extracted from The McComb Enterprise-Journal (McComb, MS)
Monday, December 20, 1971

Gunshot Kills Roxie Youth, 18

A Roxie youth died of gunshot wounds Saturday night and the Franklin County sheriff's office is investigating the incident.

Lloyd Rudolph Freeman Jr., 18, was killed instantly by a blast from a shotgun apparently being held by Leroy Woods, 18, also of Roxie, at a service station in the Franklin County town, the sheriff said.

According to the sheriff, a group of youths were at the service station apparently playing with the gun when it discharged. A coroner's jury was empaneled and made no ruling pending further investigation by the sheriff.

Funeral services for Mr. Freeman were held at 2 p.m. today in Mt. Zion Baptist Church.

The youth was born Sept. 18, 1953, in McComb and was reared near the Mt. Zion Community.

Survivors include his mother, Mrs. Vivian Freeman, Roxie, and two half sisters, Sylvia and Mary.

Rev. Gerry Fisher and Rev. Steve Conerly officiated. Pallbearers were Raymond Wall, DeWayne Ellis, Billy Davis, Richard Boyte, Tony Conerly and Paul Luther Hines.

Burial was in the church cemetery with Hartman Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.