Joe Paul Freeman, 95, passed from this life January 26, 2021, Bessie D. Glasscock Freeman, 92, passed from this life February 6, 2021, and both passed away peacefully in their home in Nashville with family by their side.
Joe Paul was born May 27, 1925 in Noah, TN to the late Joe and Linda Louise Fletcher Freeman. He is preceded in death by: brothers, Alfred Smith Freeman, and Billy Frank Freeman, also daughter-in-law, Donna Louise Coleman Freeman.
Bessie was born January 21, 1928, in Farmington, TN to the late James W. and Lillie Mae Turner Glasscock and is preceded in death by brothers, James Glasscock and Billy Glasscock; sister, Geneva Dean; and sister-in-law, Ingeborh Glasscock.
Joe and Bessie both grew up during the Great Depression, Joe's family were farmers and share croppers, and Bessie's also farmers along with her father being a community barber on the side. They grew up from humble beginnings with hard lessons. Joe turned 18 on a Friday and was drafted on the following Monday, to serve his country in the European Theatre during WWII with the 178th Corps Engineers in Patton's 3rd Army. He served with distinction. Bessie before graduating high school and attending business college survived a terrible bout with tuberculosis. As a teen, she suffered three years of treatment and long stays away from her family, but she survived and recovered. The two would meet on a blind date and soon marry in 1950. Joe was a farmer at the time and Bessie worked as a bookkeeper for a furniture store in Shelbyville, TN. They moved to Michigan for one year with Joe gaining employment in the auto industry and Bessie being a homemaker before returning to Tennessee and starting a family. First son Mike was born in 1952 and Roger in 1953. Joe worked with the Ford Glass Company for 23 years. After retirement he purchased a Cessna 150 plane, and earned his private pilot license. Bessie and Joe also earned their real estate licenses and sold real estate together. Bessie was a Den Mother with the Boy Scouts and was very proud that her two sons became Eagle Scouts. After their first retirement they would go on to work with their son's (Mike) photography business for 30 years. The two spent their second retirement more appropriately traveling visiting their grandson, and participating in numerous projects with their church and community.
The two were long time faithful members of the Lindsley Avenue Church of Christ in Nashville, TN. Bessie was one of the oldest living members there and taught Sunday school for many years. Both are survived by: sons, Joe Michael (Jackie) Freeman of Arrington, TN and Roger Freeman of Nashville; grandson, Paul Samuel (Timmery) Freeman of Nashville; and great granddaughter, Nova Donna Freeman.
Joe and Bessie were a power couple like no other. Community leaders, lovers of people, and had hearts of pure gold. The world truly has lost two rare gems, but heaven has gained the most beautiful angels. It does not surprise the family that Joe and Bessie departed so close together and understand why they wouldn't want to be without the other for too long.
Funeral services for Joe Paul and Bessie D. Glasscock Freeman will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at Hollywood Cemetery in Wartrace, TN with Laws Rushing II officiating.
The family will receive visitors at the cemetery prior to funeral service starting at 1:00p.m. on Tuesday.
The family requests that masks be worn during services and social distancing guidelines be followed.
In lieu of flowers the family request that memorial donations be made to the Lindsley Avenue Church of Christ by mail or online at www.givingmatters.cicicore.com/preservelindsleyavenuenow.
Doak-Howell Funeral Home is serving the family. www.doakhowellfuneralhome.com
