CASTALIA - William Drake Freeman, 82, of Castalia, N.C. passed away on Monday, September 29, 2008 in the Nash Health Care Systems after a brief illness. He was born on April 12, 1926 in Nash County, NC. He was a retired farmer, country store and cotton gin Owner/Operator of Taylor Gin Company, INC. Drake was a member of Castalia Baptist Church, Castalia, NC.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Lester Freeman and Margaret McKenzie Drake Freeman; brothers, John Frederick Freeman, LaVern Plys Freeman and one sister, Dorothy Freeman Chamblee.

Drake is survived by his wife Rachel Lynn Inscoe Freeman of the home; daughters, Sheila Lynn Freeman of Wake Forest, Kathy Eulalia Freeman-Robles and husband Martin, and Robin Annette Freeman; sons, William “Bill” Tyler Freeman and wife Judy and John Drake Freeman all of Castalia; six Grandchildren, Brittany Tyler Freeman Barnes and husband Mike of Clearview, Fla., Jenny Lynn B. Braswell and husband Brad of Rocky Mount, Shana Deans Freeman, Maggie Lee Freeman, Joshua Drake Freeman all of Castalia, William “Billy “ Harold Freeman and Stephanie of Franklinton, NC; five great grandchildren, Elijah James Malloy, James Devin Powell, Grace Tyler Barnes, Raiden Alexander Braswell and Patricia Annaliese Freeman; sister, Josephine Freeman Overby of Newport News, Va. and Alice Freeman Williams of Hampton, VA.; also several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends October 1, 2008 at Johnson Chapel of Nashville NC from 7 until 9 pm. Funeral Services will be held 11 am October 2, 2008 at Johnson Chapel of Nashville with Pastor Chris Carroll of Castalia Baptist Church officiating. The interment will follow at the Drake Family Cemetery on Red Bud Road, Castalia, NC. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Castalia Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 35, Castalia, NC 27816. All are greatly appreciated. Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson Funeral and Cremations, 226 S. Barnes Street, Nashville, NC 27856. Online condolences can be made at www.johnsonfuneralsandcremations.com.

Paid obituary