Lillie Mae Freeman

FREEMAN, Lillie Mae, "Granny" 104, transitioned peacefully to her heavenly home Saturday, June 15 2019 surrounded by her love ones. She was born March 5, 1915 in Lee County, AL, to Sallie Mae and Harvey Gullatte. She was the fourth of eleven raised in Opelika, AL. At an early age she was determined to seek God and find a better way of life for her and her family. She moved to Dayton with her daughter and later, sent for her husband the love of her life, Mr. Samuel I. Freeman, where they resided with her aunt. Later, she sent for her mother and siblings. For many years, Ms. Lillie worked very hard and labored caring for her husband, children, mother, siblings, and other people.

In 1940, Ms. Lillie became a member of Phillips Temple C.M.E. Church working diligently beside her aunt. She maintained her membership for over 80 years where she became a woman of great faith. Ms. Lillie truly loved Phillips Temple where she raised her children to love and serve the Lord. She and her husband celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary at Phillips Temple C.M.E.

Ms. Lillie loved to spend her time at the Wesleyan Community Center where she enjoyed the fellowship, entertainment, and activities. She was a great servant managing food pantries, clothing drives and hosting various community sponsored events. Her strong passion for doing community service was to better the quality of life of its citizens in Dayton’s Inner West community and the progressive Wolf Creek Neighborhoods. She also recognized her civic duties. She was an Election poll worker and Presiding Judge for many years.

She obtained her GED from Dayton Public Schools, Adult Night School programs. Her determination was as a little girl she didn't have time to go to school because she was always in the field, but if God ever gives her the opportunity she would learn how to read. And she did! God has always been with Ms. Lillie coming up the rough side as she sings her favorite song,"Let Jesus lead you all the way from earth to heaven", "He is a mighty good leader".

She is preceded in death by her husband, Samuel I. Freeman; parents, Sallie Mae Jackson, Harvey Gullatte; brother, Harvey Gullatte Jr.; sisters, Rosia Thomas, Ethel Cook, Cuttie Gullatte, Sana (Sena) Gullatte, Claudia Yarbrough, Willie Pearl Lloyd. She leaves to cherish her memory her children, Samuel E. (Loretta) Freeman, Margaret L. Bass, Alex P. Freeman; sister, Bonnie Tatum of Baltimore, MD; brother, Rev. Joseph Pratt of Sylacauga, AL; 7 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren; a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral service 11 am Tuesday, June 25, at Phillips Temple C.M.E., 3620 Shiloh Springs Rd. Visitation 9-11 am. Family will receive friends 10-11 am. Interment Woodland Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to House of Wheat Funeral Home, Inc.

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