Deacon Howard L. Freeman

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Visitation Wednesday, August 20, 2025 from 4-7pm at Village Baptist Church 100 S. Hilton St. Baltimore Maryland 21229

Family will receive friends Thursday August 21, 2025 from 10-10:30am with service to follow at Village Baptist Church 100 S. Hilton St. Baltimore, Maryland 21229.

Interment Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery, 11501 Garrison Forest Rd. Owings Mills, Maryland 21117.

Howard Louis Freeman was born to the late Deacon David McClellian Freeman and Deaconess Ruth Lee Mitchell Freeman on September 24, 1943 in Colerain, North Carolina. God saw fit to transition him from time into eternity on Saturday, August 9, 2025.

He was the beloved second of four sons. His youngest brother, Larry Alexander Freeman, passed away shortly after birth. Raised in a God-fearing and loving home, the family worked the land as sharecroppers. His parents instilled in him a strong faith, a commitment to hard work, and the value of education and new opportunities.

As a child, Howard was baptized and became a member of The First Baptist Church of Colerain in North Carolina. He participated in Sunday School, Usher Board, Baptist Training Union, and various youth programs sponsored by the church. Young men along with the men of the church maintained the church grounds which included clearing the overgrown church cemetery.

Howard graduated from C. G. White High School in Powellsville, NC, in 1961. He went on to earn an Associate's Degree in Radio & Television Technology from Elizabeth City State College in 1963. That same year, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving honorably for four years (1963–1967) and attaining the rank of Airman Sergeant First Class. After his military service, Howard enrolled at North Carolina A&T State University, graduating in May 1971 with a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Technologies.

Shortly after graduation, a job offer from Westinghouse led him to relocate to Baltimore, Maryland, where he lived with his cousin's family as he adjusted to city life. It was through them that he met the love of his life, Flora Ann Kitchen. The two were married on September 29, 1973, and were blessed with two daughters, Kimberly Joy and Krystal Erin. After twenty years with Westinghouse, Howard began a new career as a social worker at Family Services Baltimore City where he retired in 2013.

In 1980, Howard and Flora were ordained as Deacon and Deaconess at Friendship Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor William McCoy Jr., on the same day Kimberly, their first born, was dedicated to the Lord. They faithfully served until God directed them to join The Village Baptist Church in 1991 under Pastor Zollie D. Bagby, Sr. He loved his Village Baptist Church family and always supported the vision of the ministry. He took great pride in watching the church's edifice being constructed. He enjoyed driving by monitoring the progress of both the original construction and the classroom expansion. He hoped to one day see Village extending its territory all the way down the block to develop accessible senior residence.

Howard was known for being a quiet yet consistent presence. His slow methodical nature prompted Flora's pet name for him, "Turtle." He loved his family fiercely and made huge sacrifices in order to provide for and nurture them. Before the age of cell phones, he was always able to locate his wife and daughters, no matter how big the crowd or shopping mall. He was very much a homebody and relished moments of solitude. His idea of casual dressing was removing his tie because growing up working the fields he would say, "jeans are work clothes." He loved to reminisce about old commercials and songs emphasizing the minute details. He enjoyed watching sports, especially golf and football. He would light up any time his granddaughters came to see Pop-Pop.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Flora Ann Freeman; his parents, Deacon David M. Freeman and Deaconess Ruth L. Freeman; and his brothers, Larry Alexander Freeman and David Calvin Freeman, Sr.

He leaves to cherish his memory: two daughters, Kimberly Matthews (Pastor John Matthews), and Krystal Freeman; two granddaughters, Gabriella Matthews and Alannah Matthews; his brother, Pastor William McKinley Freeman (Carolyn Cooper Freeman); his Goddaughter, Erika McKinney, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.