Freeman Russell Whitlock
Freeman Russell Whitlock, longtime Seminole County resident, departed this life at his home, on Monday, November 22, 2021 at the age of 86 years old.
Freeman was born on March 25, 1935 in Wewoka, OK to Russell and Wilma Ruth Goss Whitlock. He married Norma Jean Pound on July 11, 1953 in Spaulding, OK. Norma was the love of his life and Freeman always took the opportunity to sing “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” to her on their wedding anniversary and Valentine’s Day.
Freeman was a graduate of Spaulding High School, where he played basketball and baseball. He played basketball and softball on intermural teams into his adult life. He was an avid sports lover and spent many hours every year at the “Big House” watching high school basketball. Freeman loved following his grandchildren in their sports activities.
Family gatherings and activities was one of his favorite pass times. Freeman was a faithful and obedient servant for God. He served as an Evangelist in the Community of Christ Church in Seminole, OK. He pastored the church beginning in a little house on Gessell Street for many years and had a dream of building a larger church. His dream came true when Community of Christ Church was built across from Seminole State College, where he continued to serve until his health deteriorated.
Freeman worked hard his entire life. He began work on a seismograph crew in Stigler, OK shortly after his marriage. He returned to Holdenville to manage a Safeway store for several years and then transferred to Tulsa, OK to manage a store. Freeman then returned to Seminole and worked as a route man and later supervisor for Wonder Bread. In 1976 he managed Dutch’s IGA in Seminole and later moved to Prague, OK to manage Prague IGA. He was an example of hard work to many teenagers in Prague and you could always find him sweeping or cleaning by listening for his whistle. He finished his work life at Terrell’s Lumber in Prague, OK.
Preceding him in death are his wife Norma Jean, his parents, Russell and Ruth Whitlock, in-laws, Cleburne and Chlorine Pound, sisters Wilma Byerly and Sybil Byerly and brother Frank Whitlock.
Survivors include three daughters, Rhonda Collier and husband Jim of Seminole, Margaret Edgerton and husband Carl of Prague, Nancy Weyneth of Seminole. Five grandchildren, Kristi Willis and husband Jason of Edmond, Russell Collier and wife Ginna of Edmond, Whitney Sheehy and husband Ryan of Collierville, TN., Megan Loving and husband Brian of Glencoe, OK and Kory Collier and wife Brittany of Shawnee, OK. Great grandchildren, Kolby J Willis, Kylie Willis, Konner Willis, Karson Willis, Kinslee Collier, Maebree Collier, Emersyn Collier, Brady Loving, Elizabeth Loving, Carter Loving, Jack Sheehy, Brooklyn Sheehy. He considered Andrea Reynolds, Bailey Harris and Arin West as his grandchildren also. Freeman is survived by his sister Darla Sisco and husband Roy. His brothers and sister in laws, Richard and Judy Pound, Martha and Randy Rhodes, Clyde Byerly, JoAnn Macon and a host of nieces and nephews.
Services for Freeman was held Friday, November 26, 2021, at 10:00 am at New Life Church in Wewoka, OK under the direction of Stout-Phillips Funeral Home in Wewoka, OK.
Honorary Pallbearers were Russell Collier, Kory Collier, Jason Willis, Ryan Sheehy, and Brian Loving.