Joseph Earl Freeman

Joseph Earl Freeman WILMINGTON - Joseph Earl Freeman, of Wilmington, died Saturday, March 18, 2006, at Northeast Medical Center in Concord. Mr. Freeman was born in Hamlet on July 3, 1927, the son of the late Thomas Edison and Naomi Hilburn Freeman. He was preceded in death by his sister, Ailcey Currie, and his brothers, Ralph Freeman and Eugene Freeman. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Mr. Freeman retired from Southern Bell after over 35 years of service. He was an active member and deacon of Temple Baptist Church, a Master Gardener working with the New Hanover County Arboretum and an avid woodworker. He was a member of the Coker College Alumni Board, a member of the Southern Bell Pioneers and a member of the Sudan Temple, being created Nov. 21, 1992, at Hamlet Lodge 532. He is survived by his wife, Martha Howell Freeman of Wilmington; son J.E. "Jef" Freeman and wife Kay of Mint Hill; daughters Mary Ailcey Freeman Welch and husband Steve of Salisbury and Nanette Freeman Jones and husband Eddie of Hampstead; sister Isabel Freeman Creech and husband Billy of Mint Hill; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Service : 11 a.m. Wednesday at Temple Baptist Church conducted by the Rev. E.C. Mattocks. Interment will follow in Oleander Memorial Gardens. Visitation : 7-9 tonight at Andrews Mortuary Valley Chapel. Memorials : In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Temple Baptist Church, 1801 Market St., Wilmington, NC 28401; or New Hanover County Arboretum Foundation, 6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403.