Pastor Hilda Faye Freeman
February 22, 1953 ~ October 19, 2022 (age 69)
Pastor Hilda Faye Freeman passed away on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, while resting in Largo,MD.
The viewing will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2022 in the main sanctuary of Evergreen AME Zion Church in Delco, NC, from 10-11am. The funeral service will begin at 11am. Burial will follow at Freeman Burial Grounds.
Pastor Hilda (Faye) Freeman, 69, the daughter of Mr. Luke McCall and the late Pastor Annie Bell McCall was born on February 22, 1953 in Dillon, South Carolina. Faye received her high school diploma from Dillon High School in 1970. Thereafter, she attended Southeastern Community College where she received a certification as a Geriatric Nurse Assistant. She loved the nursing field because it allowed her to help those who are sick and in need.
Anyone that knew Faye understood that she was passionate about her faith and preaching. Growing up in a Pentecostal church made her no stranger to praising and serving the Lord. At the age of 18, she joined the Highway Pentecostal Church of Christ in North Carolina under the leadership of the late Bishop E. Floyd; it was there that she received the gift of the Holy Ghost. She was not only a faithful member but a servant leader taking on roles such as ushering, missions and outreach, youth choir director and secretary of the youth sunday school Convention.
On December 19, 1981, she was united in holy matrimony to the love of her life, the late Elder Ardell Freeman from Delco, North Carolina until his passing on May 17, 2014. In 1985, the couple decided to move to Takoma Park, Maryland to not only expand their family but their ministry. Faye frequently traveled to preach and teach the word of God.
In 2001, the Lord led her to start a small residential church where she became the Founding Pastor of Bethlehem Temple Pentecostal Outreach Ministry in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. As Pastor of Bethlehem Temple Pentecostal Outreach Ministry, Faye was very active in her servitude as assigned clergy to the Forestville Rehabilitation Center where she read scriptures, prayed for patients and staff members, sang old gospel hymns and assisted with personal care.
She also sponsored yearly youth events and quarterly homeless essential drives. She has also received numerous awards and recognition for her religious and community service from organizations like Prince George County Fire Station 823, Paralyzed Veterans of America and Shepherds Cove Women’s Shelter.
This year while battling her illness, she still persevered and was ordained into leadership under Marie Brice-Hawkins, Pastor of the Pentecostal Church of Deliverance Inc.
In her leisure time, Faye enjoyed shopping, church fellowships, socializing and eating at the Famous Golden Corral. She wasn’t a stranger to anyone that she met and found great purpose in sharing her testimony of strength and salvation. She was authentically and wholeheartedly present for those in her life.
Those closest to her knew that she was outspoken and did not let anyone’s title or position hold her truth back. Through the many trials and tribulations, she promised God that she would be faithful to Him until the end and she did just that.
She is preceded in death by her sister, Joyce Ford and sister-in laws; Helen Freeman, Lucille Freeman and Carolyn Shepard.
Surviving to cherish her memory are her son, Rico (Teanna) Freeman of Fort Washington, Maryland; two daughters, Zenobia (Brett) Richmond, Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Chiqulla Freeman, Upper Marlboro and only grandchild, Jacob Freeman.Two sisters; Frances Davis (Charles) Bruster of Lyman, South Carolina and Neshia (Ricky) Willis of Columbia, South Carolina; Brother, Ronnie McRae of Baltimore, Maryland; Four sisters-in-law, Shirley (Wilbur) Wynn of Sharpsburg, Georgia, Emma Cheek of Greensboro, North Carolina, Luebell Freeman of Wilmington, North Carolina and Annie (William) Brown of Riegelwood, North Carolina; Six brothers-in-law, Willie Ford of Dillon, South Carolina, Charles Freeman of Chesapeake, Virginia, Chester Freeman of LeLand, NorthCarolina, Arthur (LaRhonda) Freeman of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Geno (Cynthia) Freeman of Williamsburg, Virginia, and Larry (Daphne) Freeman of Delco, North Carolina and ahost of nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and church members.
The family will be present to receive guests during the visiting hours at the church on Saturday.