Mayor Bobby James Freeman passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021 at the age of 84. He served as a Lee County Commissioner for 10 years and as Mayor of Opelika for 10 years. One of his chief accomplishments as mayor was the construction of Grand National Golf Course by Retirement Systems of Alabama. Mayor Freeman worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the citizens of Opelika and Lee County. He served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1959.
Mayor Freeman was preceded in death by his parents, Norene Short Freeman Mayfield and James Carlton Freeman and his wife of 55 years Faye H. Freeman, his brother Wayne Freeman and sister Retha Freeman May. Bobby and Faye would have celebrated their 60th anniversary on Nov. 4. He is survived by his sons Jim (Gina), Neal (Suzanne), Gary (Stephanie) as well as his grandchildren Jason, Ryan, Carmen, Emily, Lawson, Jackson and Hudson and one great-grandchild, Trace.
The Freeman family would like to thank Bobby’s friend, Norma Johnson and her family for caring for him over the last two years. Your friendship has been a great comfort to our family.
The family will be having a private ceremony at a later date. They request donations to:
Flags for Vets, Inc.
P.O. Box 1348
Auburn, AL 36830.