Pastor Kirby Freeman

1932 - 2020

Pastor Kirby Freeman

went to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 27, 2020. One of eight children, born to Willie James and Gertrude (Crump) Freeman on March 8, 1932 in Greenville, Alabama, he was raised in Birmingham Alabama. Growing up in Birmingham's West End neighborhood of Grasselli Heights, Kirby's outgoing personality allowed him to make many friends while attending Parker High School. Kirby was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952 and fought courageously as a soldier in the Korean War. While in Korea, Kirby demonstrated a natural ability to hold the attention of a crowd by occasionally performing as a part-time comedian during live entertainment shows sponsored by the United Service Organizations (USO). Upon completion of his military enlistment, he returned to Alabama and became a proud father to Anita Parker-Carey. Eventually meeting Dorothy Mae Harris (Dot), who also grew up in the area, Kirby and Dorothy were married just weeks after her high school graduation, and relocated to Canton, Ohio. Together, with their three children – Van, Monica, and Seth – they kept their covenant nearly 60 years. Kirby worked at the Ford Motor Company for 26 years, before retiring in 1992. After retiring, he pursued his passion for entrepreneurship by operating his beloved shoe-shine and repair business in Canton Center Mall. Hundreds of patrons in the area could attest to how he turned that skill into an art form and ultimately a ministry, taking it to national venues like the National Baptist Convention. From the beginning of their marriage, Kirby and Dorothy led Christian lives. Shortly after moving to Ohio, they joined Macedonia Baptist Church in Waynesburg. They later became long-time members of Antioch Baptist Church, where Kirby's talents as a mentor for young men blossomed. During the 1960s and 1970s, Kirby coached Antioch's Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA)-League basketball teams to annually compete for state championships. During his time at Antioch, Kirby served as a Deacon, soon becoming Chairman of the Deacon Board, under the leadership of Pastor W.C. Henderson. Known to be an exceptional singer in various choirs at Antioch, as well as other community choirs in the Canton area; Kirby answered the call to become an Associate Minister. Over the years, Dorothy and Kirby began attending Deeper Life Ministries, as well as New Trenton Baptist Church, in Emerson, Ohio, where Kirby served as a pastor, before re-instating their membership at Antioch, after he retired as a pastor. Kirby served in a number of community volunteer roles over the years. Vice President of the Canton branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Chaplain for the Perry Heights Police Department, and local coordinator for the Save the Family organization; a national faith-based non-profit, chaired by Reverend R.B. Holmes of Florida.

Kirby leaves behind his four children – Anita L. Parker-Carey (Ed) of Albany, Georgia; Kirby V. Freeman (Margaret) of Shaker Heights, Ohio; Monica J. Freeman-Bennefield (Stephen) of Perry Heights, Ohio; and Seth J. Freeman (Amia) of Marietta, Georgia. He leaves behind nine grandchildren – Megan, Briana, Tahlar, Brandon, Mehki, Matthew, Sierra, Ereyn, and Ethan. He leaves behind four great-grandchildren: Christian, Kenadi, Adeyn, and Eadyn. He also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, loving cousins, and lifelong friends. Kirby leaves behind one brother – Willie James (Jack) Freeman (Lois) of Denver, Colorado – and three sisters – Lexie Freeman-Sanders of Niagara Falls, N.Y., Qumie Freeman-Mayfield (William) of Birmingham, Alabama, and Jewel Freeman-Carter (Frank) of Birmingham, Alabama. He is preceded in death by two brothers – Crosby Freeman and Zebedee Freeman – and one sister – Ella Mae Freeman. Most of all, Kirby is preceded in death by his wife of nearly 60 years – Dorothy Mae Harris-Freeman – for whom he will soon be lying next to for eternity. Kirby lived a full, fruitful life – a life guided by his creator – a life to be fully celebrated!

Services will be held on Monday, January 4, 2021 at 11 am at Rhoden Memorial Home. Visitation will be from 10 am until time of service.