Herbert Freeman

HERBERT FREEMAN Tupelo - Herbert Eugene Freeman, 85, entered into the presence of Christ on Friday, April 25, 2014, at the North Mississippi Medical Center, Hospice after a brief illness. He was born in Forest, Mississippi on March 2, 1929, to Charlie John and Elsie Grace Simmons Freeman. He began working as a train dispatcher for the Illinois Central Railroad in August 1946, which later merged with GM&O to form the ICG Railroad. He ended his career in 1986 with the railroad in Chicago as Supervising Chief Dispatcher. He grew up in the Hillsboro Community near Forest, Mississippi and worked on the family farm and helped neighbors with their farms. He enjoyed rabbit and squirrel hunting and also liked fishing. Some of his interests included making sourdough bread, woodworking and furniture refinishing. For many years, he and his wife were involved as Training Union teachers with the youth. He leaves his family grounded with a rich christian heritage. He was a deacon serving at First Baptist Church, New Albany, Country Club Hills Baptist Church, Hazel Crest, Illinois and Calvary Baptist Church, Tupelo where he was a member. Services will be 3 p.m. Sunday, April 27, 2014 at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Rev. Bobby Bridges and Rev. Steve Hurt officiating. Graveside services will follow in Glenfield Cemetery, New Albany. Survivors include two daughters, Judy Bridges (Rev. Bobby Bridges) of Arlington, Texas and Sandy Coutoumanos (Mike) of Tupelo; grandchildren, Christian Bridges (Heather) of Burleson, Texas, Angie Caldwell (Britt) of Tupelo and Anna Shannon (Jerry) of Vilonia, Arkansas; four great-grandchildren, John Michael Caldwell, Anders Caldwell, Grace Shannon and Emily Shannon; one sister, Esther Sparks (Richard) of Florence, Mississippi; one sister-in-law, Ann Freeman of Newton, Mississippi; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie John and Elsie Freeman; his wife of 53 years, Dorothy Kankkonen Freeman in 2002; his four siblings, John Henry Freeman, B. C. Freeman, Daree Mashburn and Alberta Freeman. Pallbearers will be Christian Bridges, Britt Caldwell, Jerry Shannon, Gary Freeman, Carey Sparks, and Keith Reece. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be his Senior Friends at Calvary Baptist Church. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 26, 2014 at W. E. Pegues, Tupelo.