CULLMAN, Ala. – Longtime Cullman physician Phil Freeman passed away Tuesday. Below is his full obituary:
Dr. Phillip Wood Freeman, 69, of Cullman, Alabama passed away May 26, 2020 of complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
He was born March 8, 1951 to Chester and Hilda Freeman and was preceded in death by his grandparents Boss and Loice Wood and Willis and Ethel Tucker, his parents and his daughter Amy Freeman Williams.
Phil wore many hats and wore them all well. Some knew him as a caring doctor who always seemed to know when a hug was needed and who understood that what his patients needed most was his time and attention. He had a way of making each of his patients feel like they were his only patient of the day. He was also intentional with the gift of prayer and would freely share one with patients, friends, colleagues and co-workers. Many grew up with him as a Sunday school teacher at Grace Episcopal Church or heard him as a guest speaker, guitar player or a witty storyteller. Some of us knew him as an encouraging father, grandfather and beloved husband. We think he wore this hat the best.
Phil graduated from Cullman High School in 1969, serving as the president of the student council and co-valedictorian. Following high school, he attended Birmingham-Southern College, where he graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, and then graduated UAB Medical School three years later. After residency he joined Cullman Internal Medicine in 1979 and practiced 30 years until his retirement due to illness.
While practicing medicine, Phil also volunteered his time at Good Samaritan Health Clinic and served on many hospital committees. Over several years, Phil served the greater Cullman community through positions on the Chamber of Commerce, Cullman City School Board, the First Federal/First Community Bank board, the Cullman Sports Hall of Fame board, and the CCC (Committee on Church Cooperation) board.
At Grace Episcopal Church, Phil served as a Sunday School teacher, a youth group leader, a musician, a chalice bearer, and a senior warden. He loved attending Cursillo retreat weekends at Camp McDowell and serving on staff. He also sponsored many people for Emmaus retreats at Camp Sumatanga.
Time with family was important to Phil, and he would wake at 4:30 on work mornings so that he could make his rounds in time to be home for supper. He was devoted to his family and loved nothing more than spending weekends at the lake, going to his children’s events, traveling and spending countless hours holding a video camera, recording the dramatic offerings of his daughters and their friends. He was a true family man.
Phil is survived by his wife of 47 years Patti Vogel Freeman and his daughter Meredith (Jeff) Middlebrooks; grandchildren Clay and Maggie Williams and Eliza and Thomas Middlebrooks; sister Carolyn (Bill) Peinhardt; nephew Clint (Anne) Peinhardt and nieces Lanie (Jeb) Williamson and Rachel (Wesley) Dawsey; and several cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews.
A special thank you goes out to Folsom Center nursing home staff and Pamela Phillips for providing such loving care to him at the end of his life.
The family looks forward to celebrating Dr. Freeman at a memorial service on a future date, when no one’s health will be at risk.
In lieu of flowers (allergies), the family requests that you consider a memorial to Grace Episcopal Church or Grace Place (respite care ministry for Alzheimer patients), 305 Arnold Street NE, or Good Samaritan Clinic, 401 Arnold St. NE.
