Claude Thomas Free, Master Sergeant U.S. Army Retired

Claude Thomas Free

Aiken, SC—A celebration of life service for Mr. Claude Thomas Free, Master Sergeant U.S. Army Retired age 79, will be held 2:00 pm Wednesday May 30, 2018 at Redd’s Branch Baptist Church with Rev. Richard McWhite and Rev. Dr. Roy Head officiating.  Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Graniteville, SC with Full Military Honors accorded by the U.S. Army Ceremonial Team.  Mr. Free will lie in state at the church on hour before services.  Mr. Free entered into rest on Saturday May 26, 2018 at Aiken Regional Medical Centers.  He was the beloved husband of 58 years to Mrs. Mavis Evonia Morey Free and a son of the late Mr. Clyde Free and the late Mrs. Janie Dennis Free.  He was a native of Pelham, GA and had made Aiken County his home since 1960.  Mr. Free was a veteran of the Vietnam and Desert Storm War having served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves retiring as a Master Sergeant.  Mr. Free also retired from Owens Corning Fiberglass in Aiken as a beaming scheduler with 38 years of service.  He was a member of the American Legion Post 26 on Old Airport Road, Aiken, the Wednesday morning coffee group with retired co-workers from Owens Corning Fiberglass that met at McDonalds on Richland Ave., West, Aiken.  Mr. Free was also involved in Motorcycle clubs in Aiken County.  He was an active member of Redd’s Branch Baptist Church where he served as an active Deacon, sang in the choir, and was a member of the Joy Seekers Sunday School Class.  Additional survivors include two sons, Gregory (Martha) Free, Ashburn, GA, Brian Free, North Augusta; one brother, Clifford Free, Ashboro, GA; one sister, Jeannette Butler, Camilla, GA; four grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren.  Serving as pallbearers at the church will be Neil McCormack, Tommy Meyer, Marvin Tanner, Tommie Blackwell, Danny Kimball, and George Davis.  Honorary pallbearers will be the Joy Seekers Sunday School Class and former and active Deacons of Redd’s Branch Baptist Church. The family has suggested that memorials be made to Redd’s Branch Baptist Church, 390 Redds Branch Road, Aiken, SC 29801 or the Lupus Foundation, www.lupus.org.  A visitation with the family will take place 6-8 pm Tuesday May 29, 2018 at COLE FUNERAL HOME 1544 UNIVERSITY PARKWAY (118 BY PASS) AIKEN, SC, 29801. 803+648-7175. Please sign the online registry or order flowers at www.colefuneralhomeinc.com.