Mr. Harold Wayne Freeman
January 8, 1942 – February 5, 2021
On Friday, February 5, 2021, Wayne Freeman, loving husband and father passed away at the age of 79. Wayne was born January 8, 1942, in Fort Payne, Alabama, where he later attended high school and had an illustrious football career. He graduated from Ft. Payne High School in 1961 and then attended the University of Alabama from 1961-1964, was an All-American lineman and member of the 1964 National Championship Team.
He is preceded in death by his parents Leonard and Iris Freeman, and his brothers Benny and Steve Freeman and his sister Linda Spivey.
He is survived by his sister Elizabeth “Libby” Wright and his brother Charles Eddie Freeman.
He is also survived by his wife of thirty years, Glenda Freeman, and her daughters Angela Glasscox and Lisa Street, and Glenda’s five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He is also survived by his four children, Aaron Freeman, Laura Knight, Janice Burrows, and Tara Helms, and their mother Elaine Freeman, as well as thirteen grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the University of Alabama Athletics Department. You can give online at crimsontidefoundation.org/freeman or send checks payable to the Crimson Tide Foundation, noting it is in memory of Wayne Freeman, to Box 870343, Alabama 35487.
Visitation
Date of Visitation: Saturday, February 13, 2021
Visitation Location: Burt Chapel-Fort Payne
Visitation Time: 12:30 PM-2:00 PM
Funeral
Date of Funeral: Saturday, February 13, 2021
Funeral Location: Burt Chapel-Fort Payne
Funeral Time: Memorial Service at 2:00 PM
Officiating: Rev. Danny Moses
Burial
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We were talking and drinking Coca-Colas or Mtn. Dews, when a brand new bright yellow Lamborghini wheeled in. A guy in a 3-piece business suit and tie got out and paced around while the person was filling his car with gas. Before getting back in his sportscar, the guy lowered his sunglasses and looked over at Wayne and I and grinned but didn't speak.
As the guy was driving away Wayne said, "you know that guy thought we're just two Podunk, uneducated rednecks."
I said, "yeah." Wayne said, "he's the one wearing a 3-piece suit when it's 110 degrees out here."
Roll tide
Roll tide
At 17 you literally took on the role of a grown man helping to raise us, while going to school and playing ball. You faced many challenges in your young life, many disappointments but you never succumbed to them. You used to tell me these where life's lessons and if we used them we would grow to be stronger and better in life.
we would learn to make wiser choices.
The most important thing you taught me "God writes your beginning and your ending but WE write the pages in-between
Those choices would be our legacy we leave behind and the things we would be judged for at the end.
My Sweet Brother you have lifted a beautiful legacy and planted many seeds in this life and they are growing in so many ways.
Wait for me, I will join you soon and we shall rejoice together on heaven high. Love you so much, Libby
May God give you peace & comfort.
Roll Tide!
He always had an amazing ability to tap some deep source of intuitive perception, strength and capability. I called it his Jedi powers. Some abilities that come to mind are his capacity for digging deep to go beyond the strength of mortal men on the football field, in finding the best fishing spot, knowing “when to hold ‘em, when to fold ‘em or when to run,” in situations where trouble was brewing or having appropriate reflex response to avoid disaster. He did indeed at least on two occasions avert disaster when our children were in peril. I will not describe the harrowing scenes but split second response saved life and limb in both instances.
Those of us who were in his life and close to him felt/recognized a depth in Wayne which enabled him to utilize his unique capabilities and also kept him somewhat free from convention and norm. He stood out to people who had awareness enough to recognize this capacity in him and Coach Bryant was among those people as are the members of his family.
We love and miss you and our prayers go with you.