Edgar Shepard Freeman

Formerly of La Plata, Maryland, Edgar S. Freeman passed away peacefully on the morning of Saturday, August 31, 2019. He was 69 years old and a retiree of New York City Transit. He served as a bus driver primarily out of Brooklyn at the Broadway Junction Bus Depot for over 30 years. The son of the late Irene Marcus Freeman, he was the third born of her four children arriving in Greenpoint Hospital, Brooklyn, New York on Sunday, April 23, 1950. Edgar, nicknamed Eddie, grew up in Marcy Projects. As a child he had lots of friends from the neighborhood. Along with his brother, Pat, and close friends, David Murphy, Peter Boy, and brothers, Delmar and Larry Newby, Eddie would often play marbles and flag football with them. By the time Eddie had finished his elementary and middle school education at PS 168 and Junior High School 50 –- John D. Wells, respectively, he was an avid basketball player and ran track. With an easygoing yet competitive spirit, Eddie would go on to play basketball in local tournaments with the Jaguars that led to championship games in the Marcy Projects Police Athletics League (PAL) under Coach Gene Gregory and played JV basketball in high school. Remembered for not only being good at sports but games in general, Eddie enjoyed playing checkers, chess and pool. He was known for being dependable and hardworking but never ceased to enjoy a good time and to spar with friends. He enjoyed time with his siblings and extended family and had many female admirers. His close relationship with his mom and mentoring from his mother’s brothers led him to take automotive shop classes at Grady Technical High School where he graduated. He would go on to earn his high school diploma with a vocation in auto mechanics. Like many parents of the 1950’s, Irene gave all her children the same three options after graduating high school — leave home to get a job, join the military or go to college. Eddie chose to join the US Air Force (USAF) and served for several tours after which he joined the AF Reserves. In 1974, he would be blessed with the birth and love of his eldest daughter, Ebony from a long-time relationship with another Marcy Projects resident. To transition from the military and take care of his daughter, Eddie became an employee for NY City Transit and later the US Post Office. Known for taking extra shifts and filling in for other drivers, he worked hard and settled into fatherhood. He perfected his favorite meal of steak and French Fries and loved music and his electronic gadgets. He was like a father to his nieces and doted on his daughter. In 1992, he met and married his life-long partner of 28 years, Tonie Freeman. His family grew greatly to four daughters and two sons. After many years of civil service work, he retired from Transit and relocated from upstate New York to Charles County, Maryland to take care of his health and to enjoy his family. To keep busy, he drove a school bus for the DC Public School System until his declining health no longer allowed. He leaves behind a large extended family along with his wife, Tonie; his daughters, Ebony, Ashley, Kenyetta, and Diamond; his son, Jason; stepson, Eric and former stepson, Jamal and all their children; his brother, Patrick, Sr. and sister in law, Nora, and their children, Patrick, Jr and Linda and their children; his sisters’ children, Crystal, Thurl and Quintel and their children. He is predeceased by his sisters, Beatrice and Noreen Freeman and his very close cousin Tyrone Marcus. Visitation on Friday, September 13, 2019 from 9:30AM until time of Funeral Service at 11AM at Raymond Funeral Service Chapel, 5635 Washington Avenue, La Plata, Maryland 20646.

Edgar Shepard Freeman

April 23, 1950 - August 31, 2019