Lawson Melvin Freeman

JAMESTOWN- Mr. Lawson M. Freeman, 74, died peacefully at home February 25, 2006 after a long illness.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 at the Hanes-Lineberry Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Jay Lambeth officiating. Private interment will be at Westminster Gardens.

Preceding Mr. Freeman in death was his father Gartrell Freeman, his mother Mildred Freeman, and niece Beverly Cash Malo.

Surviving Lawson are Bettie, his beloved wife of 52 years; son Michael of Greensboro; daughter Kathryn Richard and her husband John of Atlanta, Ga., son Christopher and his wife Kristen of Greensboro; sister Theresa Cash and her husband Frank of Athens, Ga.; and brother Pete and his wife Kathleen of Pleasant Garden. Extended family include grandchildren, Alexander Richard, Sarah Richard, twins James and Laura Richard; nieces Lisa F. Whittemore (Greg), Vicki F. Brady (Ike), Delaine C. Brown (Charlie), Amy C. Carson (Johnny); and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

Mr. Freeman was born in Ila, Georgia on April 8, 1931 and moved with his family to Lexington, North Carolina in 1939. Three years later the family made their home in the Glenwood neighborhood of Greensboro. Among Lawson's many friends from these boyhood years are Hugh Foster and John Clark. Mr. Freeman enlisted in the Army in 1951, and after discharge from military service was one of the first employees of Greensboro Plumbing Supply Co., retiring in 1994 after forty years of service.

Mr. Freeman was a member of the Friendship Sunday School Class at St. Paul Presbyterian Church in Greensboro where he served on the Session and the property committee. Lawson served several years as Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop 334 where many young lives were given direction through his positive leadership. He was an active member of the Glenwood Breakfast Club, loved motorcycles and NASCAR, and was for many years an accomplished photographer. Most recently Lawson built dollhouses and miniature furniture, and became a talented painter of watercolor landscapes.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions be sent to the St. Paul Presbyterian Church Fire Fund, and to Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro.

The family wishes to express their sincerest gratitude to Dr. Patrick Wright, the Palliative Care Unit at Moses Cone Memorial Hospital of Greensboro, Angel Hands Home Care and Hospice for their personal concern and care for Mr. Freeman during his illness.

Visitors may express their condolences to the family from 6 to 8 p.m. on today, February 27, 2006 at Hanes-Lineberry Chapel, 6000 High Point Road in Sedgefield, and evenings at the residence in Jamestown.

Offer condolences at www. news-record.com/nr/obits/