Etta B. Freeman

Etta B. Freeman, 107, of Decatur transitioned on Saturday, December 14, 2024. Public viewing will be at Jackson Memory Funeral Home, Tuesday, December 17th from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. The funeral will be held at First M.B. Church in Decatur, Wednesday, December 18th at 1:00 pm. Burial will follow in Sterrs Cemetery.

Etta B. Freeman was born July 27, 1917 and reared by her grandparents. She graduated from Decatur Negro High in 1937 when Mr. C.J. Hurston was principal. He was a big influence on her life, leading her to pursue a degree of higher learning. With the help of her brother Sam Bankston, she was able to attend college.  He sent her twenty-five dollars per month to ensure she had the funds necessary to attend. 

Etta attended Alabama State College and completed two years, which at that time was a junior  college. This qualified her for a teaching position in 1939. Her teaching experience was in Moulton, AL where she taught for two years. Etta married Charles Henry Freeman in 1941. In 1943 she resigned from her teaching position in Moulton, and moved back to Decatur. Six months later she began teaching first grade at Cherry Street Elementary School.  In the 1950's she enrolled at Alabama A&M University to complete her last two years of college and obtained a bachelor's degree in elementary education. She went on to teach a total of thirty-seven years, substituted for twenty additional years, as well as working as a greeter at Wal Mart for four years. 

Etta was preceded in death by her grandparents, her parents, a son Charles Richard Freeman, and a brother, Sam Bankston.

She shall be remembered by her daughter-in law, Jewel Freeman; grandchildren, Cheryl (Cleveland) Smith, Shaka Freeman, Biko (Precious) Freeman, Nora Jackson, Jewel "JJ" Freeman, Chaske (Raquel) Freeman; 8 great grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

In Lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to Decatur Youth Enrichment, C/O: Maxine Ellison, PO BOX 1841, Decatur AL, 35602

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