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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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.