Obituary of Sr. Freeland

Funeral services for Mr. Willis Benoyt Freeland, Sr., age 90, are scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, September 10, 2010 at Cherry Ridge Baptist Church with Rev. Al Duncan and Rev. Tim Post officiating. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at Golden Funeral Home. Mr. Freeland, a retired welder and resident of Bastrop, passed away Tuesday, September 7, 2010. He was a member of the Plumbers & Steamfitters Union for over 25 years. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Freemason and a 50 year member with the Mt. Gerizim #54 Masonic Lodge in Bastrop, LA. He was also a member of the Barak Shriners of Monroe, LA. Mr. Freeland was a deacon at Cherry Ridge Baptist Church and was ordained as a deacon at White Avenue Baptist Church (Second Baptist Church). He is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Mattie Lee Freeland; his parents, Mollie Freeland Norris and Leon Freeland; his brothers and sisters, Ollie Lee Freeland, Floy Pauline Freeland, Earl Freeland, Jay Norris, Ray Norris, Edward Norris, and Eunice Robinson Lowery. Mr. Freeland is survived by seven children, Phyllis Cloud and husband Dale of Littleton, CO, Rose Griggs and husband Jerry of Eros, LA, Pat Carter and husband Tom of Madison, AL, Lynda Seago and husband Bill of Rome, GA, Willis Freeland, Jr. of Sterlington, LA, Wayne Freeland and wife Kelly of Sterlington, LA, Jayne Pylant and husband Keith of Swartz, LA; sister, Alma Barr of Rayville, LA; thirteen grandchildren, Dale Cloud, Jr., Michelle Cloud Colin, Jerry Griggs II, David Carter, Debbie Seago Corbin, Cindy Seago Hirt, Pam Seago Crowder, Willis Freeland III, Wendy Freeland Doucet, Tommy Freeland, Joe Freeland, Paige Freeland Wilson, Jessica Pylant; 21 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are deacons of Cherry Ridge Baptist Church and Rev. Cal Adams. Memorial contributions may be made to Louisiana Baptist Childrens Home or to Cherry Ridge Baptist Church Building Fund. The family of Mr. Freeland would like to extend their deepest appreciation to Dr. Carter Cox and the Morehouse General Hospital nursing staff for the loving care given to our father.