Samuel Jerome Freeman, Sr.

“From Labor to Reward” Samuel Jerome Freeman, Sr. was born on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1918 in Smithfield, Ohio. He was the third of four brothers. His beloved parents were the late Effie Zora Wilson-Freeman and Samuel Alex Freeman. After the death of his father, in a coal mining accident, the family moved to Columbus, Ohio. Young Samuel attended Douglas Elementary, Champion Junior and East High School. While at East, during the fall of 1935, he met and fell in love with pretty Ida Mae Capers who attended Pilgrim Junior High. After five years of courtship, they married on May 29, 1940 at the Trinity Baptist parsonage. Rev. N.L. Scarborough officiated the ceremony. During that time Samuel was employed at the famed Neil House Hotel where he worked for 42 years. He began as a bellman who rose to the coveted rank of Bell Captain for the third shift. He said that he received his greatest education while working there. Located across from the Ohio Statehouse, the Neil House hosted some of our country’s wealthiest and most influential politicians. During his tenure, Samuel met, served and impressed Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman, Senators John Glenn and Carl Stokes, Ohio Governor James Rhodes and Mayor Jack Sensenbrenner. At the Neil House, Samuel also met world-famous entertainers such as Nat “King” Cole, Sammy Davis, Jr., Marlene Dietrich, Bob Hope, and Frank Sinatra. While working nights at the hotel, from 11pm until 7am, Samuel also held several other full-time jobs. He worked for seven years as a custodian at Ohio Avenue Elementary School. His next job was as an assembler at Weinman Pump where he worked for one year. Finally, in 1963, he joined Lennox Industries where he worked on the assembly line. During the Civil Rights Era, which brought historic changes in the lives of African-Americans, Samuel Freeman was the 13th Black person hired at Lennox. He joined the ranks of 12 other African-American men who also exceeded expectations. Just as he did at the Neil House, Samuel rose through the ranks at Lennox from being a member of the negotiating committee, to chief union steward and finally, to his election as vice president of Sheet Metal Local 535 on June 16, 1975. During his tenure as vice president, he was able to influence both the hiring and promotion of African-American men into high paying jobs such as braziers, welders, group leaders and shop foremen. Samuel earned a reputation as a union leader who fought for the rights of the working man. His collaboration with Lennox led to improved conditions for all employees. Upon learning of his plans to retire, plant officials did their best to dissuade him. They wanted him to remain at Lennox as the union official who could best work to improve race relations. After he retired from Lennox, in 1983, Samuel realized that the skills that he learned from both the hotel and factory could be used to serve our Lord and Savior at Trinity Baptist Church. Pastor E.A. Parham also recognized his abilities and made him a member of the Finance Committee. A year later, Rev. Parham appointed him to be one of the Trustees. For the next 15 years, he served as a Trustee of Trinity. He also found great joy during the eight years he served as a Sunday School teacher for the young adults. While at Trinity, he became active with the Eastern Union Laymen. However, one of the highlights of his religious experience came from his travels around the country with the Lott Carey Convention. Both he and Mrs. Freeman were active participants for 18 years. In 1997, Rev. Victor Marco Davis became the Senior Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church. Pastor Davis utilized Samuel’s experience by appointing him Lead Trustee. He served in that capacity for three years. In 1998, Pastor Davis also appointed Samuel Freeman to be a Deacon. In the ten years he served in that capacity, Deacon Freeman never missed a meeting. Brother Samuel Freeman, Sr. said that serving as a Deacon and Trustee was a privilege, an honor and a blessing for it allowed him to give his best efforts on behalf of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Samuel Jerome Freeman, Sr. deeply loved Trinity Baptist Church. At 100 years of age, God called Samuel to eternal rest on Sunday, September 30, 2018. Deacon Samuel Freeman was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 69 years, Ida Mae Freeman; three brothers, Charles Wilson, Wilford Wilson and Francis (Madalee) Freeman. He leaves to cherish his memory, his son, Samuel Jerome Freeman, Jr. (Linda); his daughter, Adrienne Marie Freeman (Wayne Cooper); “adopted” daughter, Denise Johnson; grandson Samuel Jerome Freeman, III (Peggy); granddaughter Dori Lynn Freeman (Robert DeJarnette); “adopted” granddaughter Iola Molanda Tucker (James); great grandsons, Scott Jamal Freeman, Dylan (Bethany) Freeman, Joseph Freeman and Noah Freeman; nephews, Chaplain Lawrence (Ernestine) Freeman, William Freeman, Rev. Kelvin (Kim) Freeman and Vernon (Trinita) Weaver; nieces, Betty Lou Abbott, Judy Freeman Church (Mark), and Karen Freeman (Rod) Dooley; special friends, Shirley, Theresa and Garnett Potter; and a host of cherished relatives and lifelong friends.