THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 16, 1995 TAG: 9507160028
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Long : 108 lines
Rev. Cleveland Joseph Freeman, 87, of the 1400 block of Loren Crescent, died July 12, 1995 at 3:45 p.m. in Maryview Hospital, Portsmouth.
Mr. Freeman was minister and pastor with St. John Baptist Church, Portsmouth, for 37 years and Little Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Suffolk, for 40 years. He was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church (Berkley section), Norfolk, and was a U.S. Army veteran.
Born on September 16, 1907, in Bertie County, N.C., he was one of several sons of Rachel Freeman Sessoms. His maternal grandparents, Wright and Priscilla Freeman, provided an honest, humble, God-fearing, grace-filled home; the absolute atmosphere of the matriarchal mansion was in accord, acclamation, and awesome reverent reflection of affection and adoration of God. His love and loyalty to God and his fellow man were nurtured from an early age at Pineywood Chapel Baptist Church, Bertie County, N.C. When he migrated to the Tidewater area he became a devoted and dedicated member of Mount Zion Baptist Church, Berkley section, Norfolk. There he accepted the clarion call to preach the gospel of his Lord and Saviour, Jesus The Christ. He was licensed and ordained at Mount Zion Baptist Church. He loved his church, his church family and his pastor.
He received his childhood education in the public education system of Bertie County, N.C. He received administrative and clerical education while a member of the U.S. Army. While in the service he became a chaplain's assistant and began what would become a remarkable and resplendent period of service to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He matriculated to Virginia Seminary and College at Lynchburg, Va., where he distinguished himself as an ardent and avid student. His studies brought him the AB and BD degrees and a Doctor of Divinity degree that he cherished. He continued his education at Hampton University where his Continuing Education curriculum provided him with the knowledge to pastor, love, lead and motivate nine different churches.
At the time of his demise, Reverend Freeman was pastor of the Little Mount Zion Baptist Church where he labored for over 40 years and the Saint John Baptist Church where he worked without tiring for over 35 years. He was a unique breed of minister who managed to simultaneously serve these two great churches, one in Suffolk, Va., and the other in Portsmouth, Va. Other previously held pastorates include Saint Paul Baptist Church, Suffolk, Va.; Paul's Branch Baptist Church, Suffolk, Va.; Morning Star Baptist Church, Windsor, Va., and churches in North Carolina. God gave him the vision to add educational buildings to both churches which he pastored until he went home to be with tT he Lord. He reviewed the needs of both Little Mount Zion and Saint John and oversaw the renovations that were needed. Many individuals were added to the congregations of both churches. He performed many marriages and baptized with regularity. He was a counselor, a confidante and a challenger to all to be the best in Jesus Christ.
Time spanning over 60 years in the ministry provided Reverend Freeman with the opportunity to honorably hold the following positions: moderator of the Sharon Missionary Baptist Association and ??Its Allied Bodies; moderator of the Ordination Council of the Sharon Missionary Baptist Association; executive board member of the Sharon Missionary Baptist Association and Its Allied Bodies; moderator of the Church Union of the Sharon Missionary Baptist Association and Its Allied Bodies; parliamentarian of the Tidewater Metro Baptist Ministers Conference; president of the Interdenominational Ministers??' Forum of Portsmouth and Vicinity; moderator of the West Roanoke Ministers' Association; member of the board of directors of Virginia Seminary and College at Lynchburg, Va.; first vice president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Portsmouth, Va.; executive board member of the Tidewater Television Advisory Council; honorary president of the Hampton Ministers' Conference and Choir Guild; president of the NAACP, Portsmouth, Va.; president of the Suffolk Ministers' Alliance; president of the Southside Youth Ministry and Advisory Council; secretary of the Portsmouth United Methodist Redevelopment and Housing Authority; chaplain of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Steering Council; chairman of the Political Actions Committee for Improvement and Improvisation; president of the Portsmouth Information and Action Coalition; executive board member of the United Negro College Fund. He was a member of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., Lott Carey Convention; Virginia Baptist State Convention; Virginia Baptist General Convention; Bethany Baptist Convention; Black Baptist Ministers' Conference of Portsmouth and Vicinity; Portsmouth Central Civic Forum; National Baptist Ministers' Council; Portsmouth Ministerial Alliance; and the Portsmouth Coalition for Voter Registration and Education.
Reverend Freeman was predeceased by his wife and the love of his life, Emma Lawrence Freeman. He is survived by a daughter, Commissioner Barbara J. Faltz-Jackson of Baltimore, Md.; a grandson, Richard Joel Faltz of Baltimore, Md.; a great-granddaughter, Rashaunda D. Faltz of Norfolk; a sister, Emma Thelma Lawrence of Portsmouth; a brother, William Henry Freeman of Norfolk; an aunt, Catherine Freeman of Portsmouth; three sisters-in-law, Blannie Freeman of Herlock, Md., Alice Freeman of Coronna, N.Y., Mary Freeman of Norfolk; a beloved goddaughter, Nellita Miranda Jones of Portsmouth and a devoted spiritual son Rev. John E. Jones of Suffolk, Va.; a host of nieces, a nephew, William C. Freeman and other nephews, cousins; in-laws; other relatives and friends.
Reverend Freeman was employed by the New York Transit System, Norfolk Naval Shipyard and Coastal Railways System but the most enjoyable efforts of his life were in the service of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ where he labored and loved even in his time of illness and infirmity. He continued to seek souls for Christ as he lay in his hospital bed.
A funeral will be conducted at noon Monday at St. John Baptist Church, Portsmouth, by Dr. C.W. Cuffee presiding and eulogy by Rev. John E. Jones. Burial will be in Roosevelt Memorial Park with military honors. Viewing at Corprew Funeral Home will begin at 10 a.m. today. The body will be taken to Little Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Suffolk, at 1 p.m. today until 4 p.m. The body will be taken to St. John Baptist Church, Portsmouth, at 9:30 a.m. Monday. The family will be at the residence. ILLUSTRATION: Personal photo
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB