After a 25-year career in Adult Protective Services with the Franklin County Department of Human Resources, Lonnie Freeman retired in 2004.
But the Russellville native never stopped learning. And the results of his continued hard work were two Master's Degrees and two graduations he got to share with each of his sons.
Freeman, the founder/pastor of Emmanuel Christian Center Church in Leighton, earned his Bachelor's degrees in 1977 from the University of North Alabama (UNA) in Sociology and Psychology.
Although he enjoyed his tenure with DHR, Freeman had a recurring thought that still burned bright, even after his retirement.
“I always wanted to see if I could do Master's level work,” Freeman said. “So I went back to college for my first Master's in Community Counseling.”
When Freeman walked across the UNA stage to receive his advanced degree in 2012, he shared the night with his son, Aron, who received his Bachelor's degrees in Music and Education at the same time. Aron is now a music teacher in Russellville City Schools.
Freeman's oldest son Jermey attended Northwest-Shoals Community College, but never finished his post-secondary education. So he enrolled at Athens State University to pursue an Education degree. Lonnie noticed that Athens State offered a Master's of Arts in Religion, so he enrolled and father and son rode to campus together working toward their degrees.
Their efforts resulted in a second father-son graduation in 2020. Jermey teaches geography and history at Lanier High School in Huntsville and is working on a Master's degree.
So far, dad isn't pursuing a third Master's degree, but you can never say never....
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