Pickens Noble Freeman

Pickens Noble Freeman passed away peacefully in his sleep at his residence on Friday, July 11 after a long decline. He was born in Clemson, SC to the late Benjamin Freeman and Kiziah Miles Pickens. After graduating one year early from Clemson College (now University) in the School of Mechanical Engineering, he married and was commissioned in the US Army Air Corps during WWII in Dayton, Ohio at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. He was assigned as an aircraft engine development engineer and propeller procurement officer. After the war, the family returned to South Carolina. The Freemans relocated to Winston-Salem in 1953 where Pickens worked for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company as a purchasing agent-acquiring major cigarette manufacturing and tobacco processing machinery as well as company aircraft. He took early retirement from R.J. Reynolds in 1977 after his last child graduated college. While at Reynolds, he pursued his Air Force Reserve career by training at Charleston AFB and HQ MAC, Scott AFB, IL and achieved the rank of Colonel, USAF. In his retirement years, besides starting his own company, Pickens enjoyed an active life with the Reserve Officers Association (ROA), the Kiwanis Club, and the St. Paul's Episcopal Men's Club, as well as maintaining and flying his J-3 Piper Cub. Mr. Freeman traveled extensively across the United States with his second wife. As an engineer, he truly loved steamboats, steam locomotives, and airplanes, and they were always in his life. More importantly, he was very proud of his family and serving his country and his community. Pickens is preceded in death by his first wife of 27 years and the mother of his children: Ann Mitchell Clarkson; and his second wife of 31 years: Louise Miller Totherow; and a brother, Francis Waring Freeman of Greenville, SC. He is survived by his five children: USAirways Capt. Pickens N. Freeman Jr. (ret) and his wife Carol of Lake Wylie, SC; Rebecca Freeman McClenahan and husband Robert of Barnstable, Mass.; Dr. Patricia Waring Freeman and husband Cliff Lemen, of Lincoln, NE; Emily Freeman Humphreys and husband Rodney of Southport, NC; and Garden Clarkson Freeman and wife Beverly of Raleigh, NC; six grandchildren: Amanda Waring McClenahan, Edward Phillips McClenahan, Elizabeth Freeman Esser (Mike), Kestrel Freeman Lemen, Marsh Freeman Lemen and Alexander Garden Freeman; and one great grandchild: Jack Noble Esser. The family will receive friends Wednesday, July 16 from 6-8 pm at Hayworth-Miller, 3315 Silas Creek Parkway. The service will be at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 520 Summit Street, the following day at 11 am.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Section on Geriatric Medicine Fund, WFUBMC, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27157. The family is appreciative of Hospice of Winston-Salem and to the exceptional team of Bayada Nurses: Barbara, Jane, Madelyn, Shanna, and Tamiko-and to Kay Snow and Diane Braxton who lovingly cared for him in his home the last five years of his life. They became a part of his family and his children are most grateful for their excellent care during his decline.

Memorials:
Section on Geriatric Medicine Fund, WFUBMC, Medical Center BLVD., Winston-Salem, NC 27157

Service:
Service at 11:00am on July 17, 2008 at Saint Pauls Episcopal Church