FREEMAN, Porter, Age 97 of Nolensville, TN, went Home on March 21, 2013. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Elizabeth (Daugherty) Freeman; and son, James Porter Freeman.

Porter was born in Paris, TN. Porter was the youngest of six children and spent some of his childhood at the Tennessee Baptist Children's Home. There, his values about hard work and his love for the outdoors were born and nurtured. He considered the Children's Home a blessing and remained an active alumni member all of his life.

Porter and Mary were happily married for 71 years and raised four children.

Porter worked as a feed merchant and farmer. He loved to share the fruits of his labor with others. After retiring and moving to Nolensville, he and Mary were active members of the Nolensville Church of Christ.

Porter considered it both a privilege and a duty to exercise his right to free speech. He ran for office so many times, he was dubbed "The Perennial Candidate". Although he was never elected to serve, he gained notoriety as "The Voice of the Working Man".

Porter is survived by his two daughters & one son as well as 7 grandchildren; 15 great-grand children; & 4 great-great grand children.

The family would like to thank his devoted caregivers: Deborah Johnson, Ellie Claypool, Ashley Maggard & the other staff of Visiting Angels of Nashville, Alive Hospice Home Care & nurse, Dominique Lemmers. Your care and support during this last year have been invaluable and a blessing to our family.

Published in The Tennessean on March 23, 2013

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 320
By Henry

A RESOLUTION to honor the memory of Porter Freeman.

WHEREAS, the members of this General Assembly were greatly saddened to learn of the death of Mr. Porter Freeman; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Freeman was an exemplary public servant and consummate professional who worked assiduously to improve the quality of life for his fellow citizens in numerous capacities; and

WHEREAS, a feed merchant and farmer his entire life, Porter Freeman was also known to many as "the voice for the working man," as he proudly exercised his right to free speech and ran for public office numerous times, including races for Governor, Tax Assessor, City Council, Judge, & Representative, to name but a few; and

WHEREAS, born on August 17, 1915, in Paris, Tennessee, Porter Freeman was the youngest of six children born to Arthur Porter and Laura Mae Freeman; and

WHEREAS, born after the death of his father, young Porter was placed in the care of the Tennessee Baptist Children's Home in Franklin, Tennessee, at the age of three, along with two of his siblings, as his mother was unable to support the family; and

WHEREAS, on July 19, 1940, he married the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Daugherty, with whom he shared seventy-one years of matrimonial bliss until her death on January 30, 2012; and WHEREAS, a true "character," Porter Freeman was an engaging gentleman who easily won friends with his great sense of humor and quick wit; he loved to fish and spent many days on Percy Priest Lake with his son Buster and

WHEREAS, Mr. Freeman was a devout member of the Antioch Church of Christ in Antioch for many years and had been an active and faithful member of Nolensville Church of Christ since 1988; and

WHEREAS, Porter Freeman was also deeply devoted to his family; in addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his son, James Porter "Buster" Freeman; and

WHEREAS, he will be sadly mourned yet fondly remembered by his three children and his seven grandchildren; fifteen great grand children; and four great-great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Porter Freeman leaves behind an indelible legacy of integrity and probity in public life, compassion and loyalty in private life, and diligence and dedication in all his chosen endeavors; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting that this General Assembly should pause to remember the bountiful life of this exceptional public servant and human being; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING, that we honor the memory of Porter Freeman, reflecting fondly upon his impeccable character and his stalwart commitment to living the examined life with courage and conviction.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we express our sympathy and offer our condolences to the family of Mr. Freeman.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy.