Francis W. Freeman was born on June 2, 1924 to Samuel and Effie Freeman in Smithfield, Ohio. He departed this life on September 6, 2017. At the age of eighteen, he made a commitment to Christ at Trinity Baptist Church. His devotion towards Christ grew when he met the love of his life Madelee Smith while working at Curtis Wright during World War II. They united in matrimony on June 1, 1946 at Gospel Tabernacle Church. With faith in God, they raised their eight children: Franklin, Linda, William, Judy, Lawrence, Steven, Karen, and Kelvin.
With a strong work ethic and a determination to care for his family, Francis worked at a variety of places. He served as a maintenance man from 1958 to 1966 at the Columbus Public Library and as the head of maintenance in 1966 to 1990 at the Bexley Public Library. He took great pride in caring for the Bexley Library, and that library received the Cleanest in the City Award. He also worked a second job at Columbus City Janitorial.
He was a member of Gospel Tabernacle Church United Holy Church of America. He served his church faithfully as an usher, teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, and deacon. Whenever the church door was open, Deacon Freeman demonstrated care and was always willing to bring others with him. He deeply loved his family. He exemplified a genuine Christian life through loving his wife, Madelee; encouraging obedience to God, and leading his family to church.
He is preceded in death by his father Samuel Freeman, mother Effie (Wilson) Freeman, brothers: Charles Wilson, Wilfred Wilson and infant sister, Mother in Law: Claretta Smith, sister in law, Ida, his children: Franklin, Steven, Linda and daughter-in-law Janet. His grandchildren: Seletha and Byron. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 71 years, Madelee Freeman, devoted brother Deacon Samuel Freeman Sr., daughters Judy Freeman, Karen (Rod) Dooley; sons, William (Gail) Freeman, Lawrence (Ernestine) Freeman, and Kelvin (Kimberly) Freeman. Grandchildren Franklin Freeman II, Jenel (Alan) Washington, Tyson (Kamika) Freeman, Caryn (Marquis) James, Terrence J Dooley, Lynette (Sean) Roberts, Jynette Dooley, Audrea Pettaway, Elizabeth Freeman, Rodrick Dooley, Kendall Dooley, Kelvin Freeman II, Kamille Freeman, and Kenneth Freeman. Nieces: Betty Lou Abott and Adrienne Freeman and nephews: Deacon Samuel (Linda) Freeman Jr., a devoted family friend, Louise Hunter. He leaves to mourn a host of great grandchildren, great-great grand children; cousins from the Sharp, West, Freeman and Wilson families along with the Gospel Tabernacle family.

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