Edward Carl Freeman Jr.

1936 - 2025

Edward Carl Freeman, Jr.

February 18, 1936 - December 30, 2025

Edward Carl Freeman, Jr. died peacefully in Richmond, VA, on December 30, 2025. Born in Roanoke, he was the son of Edward Carl Freeman, Sr., and Alberta Moses Freeman.

He was preceded in death by his beloved aunt, E. Clarice Freeman; brother, Meredith Dickerson (and his wife Sally Dickerson); and niece, Linda Dickerson. He is survived by his devoted family: nephews, Stephen Dickerson (Linda), Meredith Lee Dickerson, Jr (Denise), and Jeffery Dickerson (Sheri); great nephew, Trevor Dickerson (Katie); and great-nieces, Brooke Dickerson (Gregory Kulp), Courtney Henry (Scott), and Lauren Dickerson.

Carl was a graduate of Peabody Conservatory, now Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University, where he was a student of Paul Callaway, organist and choirmaster at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. At age seven, Carl began piano study with encouragement from his aunt, Clarice Freeman.

While at Peabody, he served in various capacities at Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, and Hebrew congregations. At age 22, he became Organist and Director of Music at University Baptist Church, Baltimore, MD. Vernon Richardson, pastor at University Baptist, came to Richmond as pastor of River Road Church, Baptist, and in 1968, Carl was recruited as Minister of Music at age 32.

Carl served as Minister of Music at River Road Church for 42 years, where he inaugurated the well-known River Road Concert Series in 1970, the first of its kind in the Richmond area. Carl brought in distinguished artists from the Richmond area, nationally, and from abroad. The Christmas portion of Handel's Messiah has been presented by the River Road Chancel Choir on alternating years since 1980. Annual concerts by the Chancel Choir have included many major classical works.

Carl was also a frequent organ recitalist, recital accompanist, and an accomplished conductor.

Upon his retirement, the concert series was renamed the E. Carl Freeman Concert Series, and he was named Minister of Music Emeritus.

Across the years, there have been numerous tributes to Carl Freeman for his musicianship and churchmanship. "River Road Church is known… for excellence in all areas… [but] the jewel in the crown is the music program." – Fred Anderson, Church Historian, in an article titled "From Choir Boy to Choirmaster." As a choirmaster, Carl once said, "My greatest feeling about going into church music was to work with average singers to do extraordinary things." Daniel Glaze, Senior Pastor, remarked, "He cultivated a classical, reverent, and high church musical tradition … Carl's life and ministry are woven into the very fabric of River Road Church. For forty-two years, he served among us as Minister of Music-shaping not only what we sang, but how we worshiped.

His tenure among us was remarkable in length, distinction, and spiritual depth, and its influence will long outlive us. We grieve the loss of a gifted musician, a devoted minister, and a faithful servant of Christ."

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Bennett Funeral Home, 11020 W. Broad Street, Glen Allen. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 9, at River Road Church, 8000 River Road, Henrico, VA. A reception will be held at the church immediately following the service. The service will be livestreamed at rrcb.org/carlfreeman.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the E. Carl Freeman Concert Series at rrcb.org/concertgifts or to the E. Carl Freeman Organ Scholarship Fund at peabody.jhu.edu/giving. A private interment service will be on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery in Roanoke, VA.

Bennett Funeral Home

11020 W Broad Street Glen Allen, VA 23060