By Staff
Early Wednesday morning a man of simple pleasures finished his course victoriously. He was surrounded by his family, the loving nurses of Beaufort County Medical Center, and his special friend, Barr Coleman.
Ted lived 84 full years. He knew how to eliminate the clutter of life and focus on what is most important: to love patiently and without judgment and to recognize the value of each day as it unfolds. He edified others and not himself. A child’s laugh never escaped his attention, nor did a stray animal or the beauty of a steam engine.
After being educated in Hillsborough, Ted enlisted in the Marines, serving his country for 4 years in the Second Marine Division in the Pacific in World War II. He survived 5 beach landings and his ship being kamikazed and sunk, to return home, where he met the love of his life, Beatrice Smith Freeman, 64 years ago. Their devotion to each other has been an inspiration.
The Freeman family history has been integrated with railroads for many generations, with Ted continuing the tradition. He was employed with Norfolk Southern Railroad for 46 years. Ted was a member of the First Baptist Church in Washington. He served as a Director of the Roadmaster’s Association for many years, was a member of the Railroad Trianmen, The American Railway Engineering Association, and the Roadmaster’s Association. Most importantly, he was the only one who could assemble his grandson’s electric train.
216 Dogwood Drive was their family home since 1974. Their neighbors have been a constant source of love and encouragement, especially Ted’s devoted friend, Bill Sprenkle.
A graveside funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, August 7th, at Maplewood Cemetery in Clayton, North Carolina, with Dr. James Moore officiating. There will be a celebration of Mr. Freeman’s life on Tuesday, August 11th, at the First Baptist Church in Washington at 2 o’clock, with Dr. Moore and Dr. Barmer officiating.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, August 6th, at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, June and Jim Nance, 111Honey Pod Farm in Washington.
Surviving are his wife, Beatrice Smith Freeman; a daughter and son-in-law, June and Jim Nance; a granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Kathryn and Adam Roark; a great grandson, Theodore (Ted) Roark. Ted has 5 sisters, Mrs. Gloria Wagner, Mrs. Sylvia Bult, Mrs. Diane Hancock, Mrs. Carolyn Hightower, Mrs. Jayne Kirkpatrick and one brother, Jerry Freeman.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The First Baptist Church Widow’s Mite Campaign.
You may share a memory with the family by visiting www.hillsidefuneralservice.com
Hillside Funeral Service of Washington is serving the Freeman family.
Paid Obituary