Educator Freeland was 'gentle giant' of Screven County
“Al was loved,” said Pastor James Cheyne of Little Horse Creek Baptist Church of his deacon. “He’s been driving one of our older members, he’s been picking her up and bringing her to prayer meetings and stuff on his way to church. He was just always the helping hand.”
That love and kindness that Arthur Linton “A.L.” Freeland gave off resonated throughout his community, and even more so when news broke of his death on Saturday, Jan. 8, at the age of 74.
Freeland was originally born and raised in Dublin, Georgia, but his educational career took him all over the state, according to his obituary. Some of his jobs included being a history teacher at Claxton High School (where he was named STAR Teacher twice), a principal over Effingham County High School and Jasper County High School, and a teacher at South Georgia College and Saint Leo University.
After moving back to the area in 1985, he became principal at Central Middle School and oversaw its transition to Screven County Middle School. After retiring in 2003, he became a member of the Screven County Retired Educators, Georgia Retired Educators and remained a lifetime member of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators. He was later honored with the establishment of the A.L. Freeland Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society at SCMS.
Superintendent Jim Thompson first met Freeland during Thompson’s first job in the district as a seventh grade teacher at the middle school.
“He was certainly an advocate of teachers,” Thompson said. “A very wise man, and he just had a presence, but it was a gentle and calming presence.”
With his very tall stature and serene demeanor, Freeland was known by some as a “gentle giant.” Screven County Middle teacher Lesia English had similar memories.
“I remember when I was recognized as Teacher of the Year in 2005,” English wrote on Facebook. “I spoke at the Lion’s Club luncheon. Afterwards he hugged me in his bear-like fashion and spoke of what a fine teacher I was.”
As English described, Freeland continued to be an educator even after his retirement. He served as a mentor when needed and was an avid historian for both his church and within the Screven County History Buffs. Member Lisa Johnson-Guidos recalled how he helped build her a chicken coop, was involved with the Battle of Brier Creek event, and as a principal, was even more hands-on.
“Dr. Freeland was a wonderful, interesting man,” Guidos wrote via Messenger. “When he was the principal at the middle school, he wrote a personal message to every student after every six-week report card. It may have just been a couple of sentences like ‘Great work in math.’ Or ‘Try a little harder in English, you almost got it.’ But it meant a lot to those kids. They knew that someone cared.”
Freeland is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jewelle; a son and daughter-in-law, John C. and Kelly S. Freeland; a daughter and son-in-law, Ann F. and John P. Trapp of Evans; and grandchildren Alex Freeland as well as Katherine F. and Bryce Youmans.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: School leader Arthur "Al" Freeland dies at 74 on Saturday, Jan. 8
