Gene Freeman

LEICESTER — Gene Freeman, age 90, went to be with the Lord on Friday May 8, 2026, at home surrounded by his family. He was born in Madison County on September 28, 1935, and graduated from Walnut School in 1955.

Gene retired from a milk route with Biltmore Dairy/Pet Dairy after 38 years of service. During those years, and for many years afterward, he farmed full time, raising cattle and harvesting hay, silage, and tobacco. He had a strong work ethic that he instilled in his children from an early age that has lasted a lifetime. He spent many hours on a tractor, something he truly enjoyed. Gene loved sports, but football was his favorite. He played high school football and carried his love of the game throughout his life. He was known to be a fast runner and driver, loved a loud muffler and was a NFL Kansas City Chiefs fan. He was a trickster and always had a story to tell of pranking someone. He was a longtime member of Turkey Creek Baptist Church and loved gospel music, especially bluegrass. He sang lead for our family quartet for a long time which he enjoyed.

Gene’s greatest passion was fox hunting. He was introduced to it at the age of seven, and it remained a part of his life until his final days. At one time, he owned as many as 16 fox dogs and hunted at least once every week for many years, continuing twice a month until the last 5 months of his life. He was known not only for his dedication to the sport, but for having some of the best dogs around. He won awards, had favorite dogs, sisters Molly and Polly that he raised and would proudly brag on.

Through fox hunting, Gene formed many lifelong friendships across several counties and states while sharing countless good meals and memories. He could blow a dog horn that carried for miles and whistle in a way that could be heard over nearly anything. His dogs always knew when that horn blew or he whistled it was time to come in — and they did.

Gene was the youngest child of the late Clifford and Louise Payne Freeman. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Carta Caldwell Freeman, who passed away in July 2024; an infant sister, Beatrice; and his brothers and their wives, Charles and Violet, Fred and Sylvia, and Earl and Wilma.

Gene also known as “Pepaw” is survived by his four children, B. J. Freeman, Ricky Freeman (Anne), Debra Cartwright (Eric), and Janet Porter (John); his four beautiful and smart granddaughters, Jessica Freeman (Diana), Shianne Gillespie (Heath), Kelsi Yarborough (Jorden), and Jenna Porter (Logan); and his funny and inquisitive great-grandchildren, ages 4 months to 7 years old, all of whom kept him on his toes with their playful energy. His pride and joys were Mason and Eli, Carter and Evie, Haisley and Walker, and Cohen and Ryatt; along with many nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in the Chapel of West Funeral Home, with Jessica Freeman, Terry Davis, and Pastor Sam King speaking at the service. The family will greet friends from 12:00 to 1:45pm prior to the service. Burial will follow at Red Brick Church Cemetery in Leicester.

Pallbearers are Ricky Freeman, John Porter, Heath Gillespie, Jorden Yarborough, Eric Cartwright, and Corey Rice. Honorary pallbearers are Dedrick Lunsford (a classmate friend for 83 years), Homer Sharpe (a daily devoted friend who always showed up with a smile, a snack, a toy for kids - his devotion to our family never to be forgotten), Charles Sams (his personal “fix-it” buddy), Gordon Sexton (his longtime famous fox hunting friend), LeRoy Briggs and Alvin Rice (with whom he hunted for more than 25 years before declining health kept them apart).

Anyone wishing to make a memorial in honor of Gene is asked to consider donating to the Red Brick Church Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 1626, Leicester, NC 28748.

Many of his fox hunting buddies have gone on before him and are surely waiting on him now. In their memory, and because they meant so much to our family, we would like to mention a few of them: his brother Earl, Clinton Smith, Floyd Carter, Edward Davis, Jack Smith, Ray Morgan, Ray Davenport, Clyde Merrill, Buck Palmer, and many others who were never forgotten and were still often spoken of. It was hard to give them up. But the memories remain.

The family wishes to genuinely thank the many dear friends who stopped by almost every day with something in hand as well as called. The Four Seasons Hospice staff were amazing to have during this time. We would also like to thank the staff at West Funeral Home for their care, guidance, and support during this time. The family deeply appreciates the friendships shared with our parents over the years. We always tried our best to honor them. Life changes as we go, but one day the struggles will be over, and we will all sit by the river of life where the roses never fade.

A sweet friendship refreshes the soul -Proverbs 27:9