Charles E Freeman

COOKEVILLE CHAPEL - Charles E. Freeman, age 88, of Scottsville, Kentucky, passed away at his home on January 31, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. He was the son of the late Herman Lee Freeman and the late Lucy Lee Tays Freeman of Cookeville, Tennessee.

Charles was born May 28, 1937, on his family’s farm. He attended primary school at the Bangham School and graduated from Cookeville Central High School. Charles earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Tennessee Polytechnic Institute (now Tennessee Tech University.) He received a Master of Science from the University of Tennessee and pursued further graduate studies in agronomy at the University of Florida.

Charles was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. He participated in ROTC as a college student and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant upon graduation. He completed Quarter Master School at Fort Lee in Virginia. He then served active duty 1960-1962 with the 22nd Corps Signal Brigade at Fort Lewis in Washington where he earned the rank of First Lieutenant. Charles served as a Reserved Commissioned Officer from 1962-1968 receiving a promotion to Captain before ending his military service.

Charles’s first career was as an agronomist supporting sugar cane growers in and near the Florida Everglades. When he and his family moved to the Bowling Green, Kentucky area in 1974, he started a second career as a loan officer for Production Credit Association and later held other positions within the Farm Credit System. Upon retirement, Charles focused his efforts on buying and selling real estate and he was known for his acumen as a businessman

Charles married Geneva Cobble on March 21, 1960. He and Geneva had two daughters that they raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, West Palm Beach, Florida, and Alvaton, Kentucky. Later in life, Charles moved to the Scottsville area where he built a legacy rooted in simple living, generosity, and quiet strength.

Charles’s family church was Post Oak Presbyterian in Cookeville. He regularly attended other churches in the Scottsville area including Bethany Baptist and Liberty Baptist. Charles lived a long and rewarding life marked by kindness, hard work, and devotion to family and faith.

Charles is survived by his daughter, Tamyra Freeman and her partner John Hill, as well as by his daughter, Donna Criswell. He is also lovingly remembered by his grandchildren, Jenna Criswell and Joshua Criswell. His family will carry his memory with love, gratitude, and pride.

In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his brother, Jimmy Freeman, and his special friend and long-term companion, Mollie Thompson.

Charles’s funeral will be held on Friday, February 6 at 3:00 PM at J.C. Kirby & Son Funeral Chapel at 832 Broadway Avenue in downtown Bowling Green. Visitation will be from 1:00-3:00immediately preceding the funeral. Burial with a brief graveside service will follow at Phillips Cemetery in Cookeville, Tennessee on Saturday, February 7 at 2:00 PM with Hooper, Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home assisting.

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to The Center for Courageous Kids in Scottsville, Kentucky

Information proved by Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home.